Richard J. Volk, 75, died unexpectedly on Thursday, Dec. 14, 2017, with his wife, Eileen, by his side.

A service will be at 1 p.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Dorris, California, where the couple had resided since 2009. The Rev. Gerald Austin will officiate.

Richard was born on March 23, 1942, to Barbara and Michael Volk in Rugby, North Dakota. He grew up in North Dakota and graduated in 1960. After graduation he moved to Minnesota, where he found work at Wells Concrete in Wells and later at Freeborn Foods until he retired.

Richard and Eileen Velishek at a company dance and they later married on Nov. 20, 1972. Together they raised seven children. He was a true family man as well as an avid fisherman and taught his kids and grandchildren to fish. He loved sports, especially the Minnesota Vikings. He also enjoyed watching westerns — John Wayne was a favorite — and being with his dog, Duke.

He was a kind, warm-hearted, loving, generous man who will be missed deeply by all who knew him.

Richard is survived by his wife, Eileen, of California; and their children, Donna (Mitch) Jensen of Minnesota, Tammie Carlsen of Florida, Laurie Reeves of Florida, Michelle Lowe of Minnesota, Vicki (Jake) Root of California, Misty Volk (Jon Hibbard) of Minnesota and Joshua (Jess) Volk of Iowa; siblings Daniel (Linda) Volk of North Dakota, Sylvia Ackman of Texas, James Volk of North Dakota, Dorothy Mastrud of North Dakota and Bernice Sandvol of North Dakota. He is also survived by many grand- and great-grandchildren.

Richard is preceded in death by his parents Barbara and Michael Volk; grandparents Antone and Helen Volk and Magdalene and Michael Walters; sister, Vivian Frieson; grandson, Christopher Baldwin; and son-in-law, Kim Carlsen.