Richard Kjelland

Richard Darrell Kjelland, 74, of Fargo, ND, died Monday, Dec. 13, 2010, at the Veterans’ Affairs Medical Center, Fargo, of complications due to Alzheimer’s. Richard was born Sept. 15, 1936, in Valley City, ND, to Lloyd and Edna (Teare) Kjelland. He graduated from Fargo Central High School, 1955, where he excelled in several sports. A football scholarship to ND Agricultural College (NDSU) was cut short after a serious car accident. He eventually graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, 1965. He also served 5 yrs. in the U.S. Air Force as Airman First Class at USAF Keesler Hosp., Biloxi, MS. Richard worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Ft. Totten, ND, and the Bureau of Prisons, Leavenworth, KS and Lexington, KY. He worked as a nursing home administrator in Missouri and Florida, and an over-the-road truck driver before retiring in Fargo. Richard is survived by his three children: Bob (Kim) Kjelland, Versailles, KY, Lynda (Ron) Giles, Lexington, KY, and Sandi (Frank) Wilson, Royal Palm Beach, FL; five grandchildren, Nicole (Stephen) Martin, Versailles, Brittany (Daniel) Phelps, Versailles, Lauren, Nathaniel and Samuel Wilson, Royal Palm Beach; and four great-grandchildren, Elijah and Kylie Martin, and Kate and John Phelps, all of Versailles. Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association. Graveside Memorial Service: Summer 2011, Fargo.