Richard "Rick" Ernest Amundrud

RICHARD “RICK” ERNEST AMUNDRUD, age 74 of Waseca, died peacefully at his home in the late afternoon of Thursday, March 14, 2024.

Rick was born in Grafton, North Dakota on April 29, 1949, to parents Ernie and Myrtle Amundrud.  He attended school in Fairdale, North Dakota and following his graduation from Edmore Area High School, attended the University of North Dakota where he studied Pre-Med and Computer Science. He was married to Patricia Cruden in Grand Forks, ND in 1969. They began their family together there, welcoming two sons in 1970 and 1973, and after relocating to Rochester, MN in 1976, welcomed a daughter Amy in 1979, before later divorcing. 

After meeting the absolute love of his life in Rochester and courting her for many years, Rick married his beloved Gloria Minard on October 20, 2001 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Fairdale, ND, on a beautiful fall day surrounded by family and friends. The two have shared a home of love and care for each other for the last twenty-three years. “Papa Rick,” as he was affectionately called by many, believed in living life to the fullest and seizing every moment. He adored his family and particularly loved spending time with his grandkids and great-grandkids throughout their childhoods. 

Rick loved all things tech-related and was very adept in his field.  He enjoyed reading and watching science fiction, and loved to travel and take photographs. After he successfully beat colorectal cancer through a regimen of chemo, surgery, and radiation in 2016, he took his travel to a whole new level with a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hawaii in March 2017. He then took his beautiful bride to Florida in April of 2017, giving her the first opportunity of her life to see an ocean. In November 2019, the proud grandparents traveled to meet dozens of other family members for their grandson’s Navy graduation ceremony, and he showed his sweetheart the Pacific Ocean! True coast-to-coast service! 

While residing in North Dakota, Rick was a member of The Sons of Norway and Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, and upon his relocation to Waseca became a member of Christ the King Lutheran Church. He enjoying attending a men’s Bible study whenever possible. 

Rick is survived by his wife, Gloria Amundrud of Waseca; five children, Richard Jr. “Eric” (Sue) Amundrud of Rochester, Amy Amundrud of Rochester, Lynn Lucas of Waseca, August (Henriett) Varwig of Robbinsdale, and Tina (Don Besser) Kuhlmann of Waseca; grandchildren, Kristy Kuhlmann of Lakeville, Lucas (Alex) Kuhlmann of San Diego, CA, Andrew (Elizabeth) Kuhlmann of Kenyon, Austin (Crystal) Lucas of Rochester, Lauren Kuhlmann of Rochester, Benjamin and Hope Amundrud of Rochester, and Gabrielle Ruether of Blaine; four step-grandchildren: Morgan Flowers of Eagle Lake, and Stephen, Tyler, and Nathanial McKee, all of Austin; and seven great-grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by both of his parents; his first wife; a son, Patrick Amundrud; a son-in-law, David Kuhlmann; a grandson, Derek Lucas; and a great-granddaughter, Abigaile Christenson.