RICHARD HELLENDRUNG

Richard Hellendrung

October 12, 1945-August 12, 2024

Richard Hellendrung, age 78, of Fairfax, MN died Monday, August 12, 2024, at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN as a result of injuries he sustained in a farm accident.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, August 19, 2024, at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Fairfax, with Father Brian Oestreich celebrating the Mass. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held 10 -11 a.m. Monday at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Fairfax.

Richard Lee Hellendrung was born October 12, 1945, in New Ulm to Charles and Bernice (Butler) Hellendrung. He was united in marriage to Sandra Rubischko on June 7, 1969, at St. Willibrord's Catholic Church in Gibbon and recently celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary. After marriage, he and Sandy farmed the Hellendrung family farm in Cairo Township, where they raised their four children.

Richard was also employed as a bus driver for 50 years, to the exact date, driving several generations of families and taking teams to their sporting events. Richard gave the kids treats on the last day before Christmas Vacation. Richard was the Fort Ridgely Cemetery caretaker and a Seneca Foods sampler. Richard enjoyed raising his livestock, which consisted of outside raised hogs, chickens, and beef cattle. Growing crops and baling hay were done with his John Deere tractors, without a cab so he could enjoy the land around him as he worked. Butchering was a highlight every winter; he always had the best-smoked ham and blood sausage. Supporting his grandchildren in all their activities was important to him as he attended 4-H events, county fairs, horse shows, Ms. Fairfax Pageants, FFA events, school concerts, hockey, football, volleyball and bowling tournaments. He still and always will be the family Champion of Checkers. He was always willing to learn more and share family history.

He was a member of St. Andrew's Parish, Proudly serving on the Cemetery Board for over 35 years. He was active in 4-H, Knights of Columbus, and the Jaycees.

Richard is survived by his wife, Sandra; a daughter, Sara (Jason) Hanson of Sauk Rapids; sons, Scott Hellendrung of Hayfield, Ross (Julie) Hellendrung of New Ulm, Chuck (Denine) Hellendrung of Fairfax; 10 grandchildren: Emily, Braden, Makena, Tamara, Russell, Andrew, Zach, Kayln, Ely, and Mitchell, and three great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert (Janet) Hellendrung of Sun City Center, FL and Donald (Janice) Hellendrung of New Ulm.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Jean Marie Iverson.

The Minnesota Valley Funeral Home in New Ulm is handling the arrangements. To leave an online condolence for his family or to sign the guestbook go to www.mvfh.org