Moorhead – Richard “Dick” Dean Toomey was born to Donald and Grace (Grindeland) Toomey in Thief River Falls, on March 29, 1940. He passed away on November 5, 2024, in Moorhead, after an extended battle with multiple myeloma and Parkinson’s disease.
Dick was baptized and confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls. He graduated in 1958, joining the United States Navy immediately following graduation. He served his country from 1958–1961, achieving the rank of 2nd Class Petty Officer, and saw the world from California to Maine to Morocco.
Following his time in the Navy, Dick began a lifelong career with Northwestern Bell. He worked in the engineering area from being a lineman to eventually a supervisor of a multi-state area. He is remembered as a kind, fair supervisor who genuinely cared about his staff. Dick retired from his telephone career in 1996.
Dick married Verna Cusey in 1970; sadly, she passed away after they had been married only a short time. In 1973, Dick married Kathy Lussenden in Fargo, ND. Dick and Kathy welcomed into their family Michael and Stephanie. In 1993, Dick and Kathy moved to the Twin Cities, and in 1997, Dick began enjoying retirement at Long Lost Lake, their home until 2023.
Dick was a member of Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo for many years. He served his congregations in many ways, ushering and serving as a council member. He was involved in the Masons of ND. During retirement, he became involved in the GIFTS program through the NW MN Synod. He enjoyed taking classes, attending seminars, and reading books focusing on Biblical and theological issues. He especially enjoyed providing pulpit supply preaching to congregations without pastors. Recently his ministry was handing out prayer crosses made by Hope Lutheran Church.
One of Dick’s interests was flying, building, and teaching about airplanes. He had numerous licenses and certifications for flying and teaching; he built or re-built several planes.
Dick made thousands of gallons of maple syrup over the years working with tree tapping, sap collecting, boiling, and bottling. He fashioned snowshoes for each family member, and enjoyed berry picking, hunting, and fishing in God’s great creation. He shared his love of the outdoors with his children, grandchildren, and friends whenever possible.
Dick is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Kathy, Moorhead; son, Michael (Maria) Toomey, Fargo, ND; daughter, Stephanie (Dylan) Kannas, Rochester; grandchildren, Katelynn, Elizabeth, James, and Andrew Toomey, and Olivia Kannas; brothers- and sisters-in-law, Dale Wennberg, Randy (Peg) Lussenden, Bob (Nancy) Lussenden along with numerous beloved nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his first wife, Verna; parents; parents-in-law, Milt and Dorothy Lussenden; sister, Linda Wennberg; and granddaughter, Hope Toomey.
The funeral service for Dick was held at 1 p.m., Saturday, November 9 at Hope Lutheran Church – North Campus, Fargo, ND. Visitation was held one hour prior to the service. Interment took place at Fargo National Cemetery, Harwood, ND on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, at 10 a.m.
Memorials are preferred to Hope Lutheran Foundation, River Pointe Senior Living or Hospice of the Red River Valley.
Memories and online condolences may be shared by visiting www.hansonrunsvold.com. A livestream of the service will also be available on the funeral home website.
Arrangements entrusted to Hanson-Runsvold Funeral Home, Fargo, ND.
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