Richard Tonjum

Richard "Dick" Tonjum Sr., age 76, of Faribault, MN, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2015, at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis with his family at his side.

Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, February 10, 2015, at 10:30 a.m. at the Divine Mercy Catholic Church, 139 Mercy Drive, Faribault. The Rice County Central Veterans Association will provide military honors. Interment will be held at a later date at the St. Lawrence Cemetery in Faribault.

Memorial visitation will be held at the Parker Kohl Funeral Home & Crematory in Faribault on Monday from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m. and on Tuesday for one hour prior to the services at the church.

Richard David was born on December 31, 1938, in Faribault to John and Olivene (Caron) Tonjum. He attended Faribault High School and in 1955 entered the U.S. Navy. He also served in the U.S. Army and completed his military service in the National Guard Reserves. Dick married Gertrude K. Ennis on August 20, 1960 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Faribault. They had six children and were later divorced. Dick worked at the Faribault Regional Center for 38 years as a Senior Human Services Technician. He was a member of the Faribault Aerie 1460 Fraternal Order of Eagles, American Legion Post 43, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1562, and was past-president of the A.F.S.C.M.E Union. Dick enjoyed fishing, hunting, camping, canoeing, gardening, and spending time with family. He was an accomplished collector of military artifacts.

He is survived by five children, Richard (Mary) Tonjum Jr. of Faribault, James (Amy) Tonjum of Rochester, Pamela (Russ) Mullenberg of Faribault, Timothy (Katie) Tonjum of Faribault, and Randall Tonjum (fiancé Gina Favano) of Winona; grandchildren, Nicole, Dana, Angela, David, Taylor, Teagan, Nicholas, Grant, Nate, Rochelle, Brianna, and Kayla; great grandchildren, Zavier, Narah, Madden, Aubrey, and Ava; brother, Curtis (Stephanie) Tonjum of Faribault; sister-in-law, Mary Tonjum of Fremont, NE; and many other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his former wife, Gertrude Tonjum; son, Gerald Tonjum; parents, John and Olivene Tonjum; siblings, Jack Tonjum and Diane Tonjum; and brother-in-law, Bud Strauss.