Obituary of Richard Taylor

A Celebration of Life Service for Richard Taylor, 74, of Milford, will be at 11:00 AM Friday, March 8, 2019 at Harbor of Joy Lutheran Church in Milford. Visitation will be after 5 PM Thursday, March 7, 2019 with the family present from 5:00-7:00 PM at Turner Jenness Funeral Home in Milford. Richard (Dick) Gary Taylor, son of Dale and Alice Taylor of rural Milford, Iowa, was born on June 12, 1944. He grew up on the family farm with his two brothers, Robert and Ronald, and attended the Okoboji School of rural Milford until reaching 8th Grade. He then graduated from Milford High School in 1962, and later graduated from Buena Vista College in Storm Lake with a degree in History. After working for a brief time in Chicago, Illinois, Richard moved back to farm with his dad, and he continued to farm until retiring in 2003. In 1976 he married Carol Cuklanz from Terril, Iowa. They raised two sons, Daniel and Nicholas, living on the family farm until 1982 when they moved into town. They were active members of First Lutheran Church in Milford, where Richard served on the church council and the AAL board, and sang in both the church choir and the Sunrise music ensemble. He also attended lay ministry school and, for a few years, offered occasional pulpit supply for area congregations. Richard and Carol were married for 30 years until Carol passed away on February 11, 2007. Two years later Richard married Judy Danielson from Estherville, Iowa, and they were married nearly 10 years. Also later in life, Richard was connected with son Robert and grandson Trent; he spoke frequently of how proud he was of Robert's military service and Trent's accomplishments on the football field. Richard passed away at Lakes Regional Healthcare in Spirit Lake on March 4, 2019 at the age of 74. Along with farming, Richard enjoyed working in the shop on cars and machinery, and even raced sprint cars in his 20's and 30's, mostly at the speedway in Jackson, Minnesota. He also had fun playing cards, whether it was playing in the 500 Card Club of Westport Township, or playing Bridge in Spirit Lake, Iowa in his later years. Richard was also an avid bowler, participating in leagues at the Spencer Bowl for a number of years. After retiring and then marrying Judy, they both loved spending their winters together in Fredericksburg, Texas, along with his brother Bob and family. And until the end, he never lost his sense of humor, especially appreciating a good pun or groaner. Richard was preceded in death by his brother Ronald, his father Dale, his wife Carol, and his mother Alice. Blessed be your memories of Richard Gary Taylor.