Alma Jean (Lake) Richard was born in Redfield, South Dakota, to Marjorie and John Lake on February 22, 1950. Alma was raised in her hometown of Doland, SD, alongside her younger brothers, Doug and Jim, and stepsister, Lynn.  

    She graduated from Doland High School in 1968. Alma’s graduating class was the largest to ever graduate from DHS, and the graduation took place at the dedication of the new Hubert H. Humphrey Auditorium. Vice President Humphrey, Doland’s “favorite son,” was present along with Senator George McGovern. As the Class Salutatorian, Alma gave a speech, and after she was finished, Senator McGovern got up and joked, “That girl stole my speech!” It was a grand day in Doland. 

    Alma went on to Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD, on a Speech and Debate scholarship and was a champion debater throughout her college years, earning both a Bachelor’s and Master’s in English. While at Northern, Alma had a part-time job as a switchboard operator at St. Luke’s Hospital. In 1969, Alma found herself riding to church in a yellow taxicab owned and driven by another Alma: Alma Richard. The two Almas bonded over their unique name, and the elder shared that her son was returning that day from Vietnam. Later, Alma happened to meet that son, Gordon, who had started working as a charge nurse in the Emergency Room at St. Luke’s. They began dating, fell deeply in love, and the following year Gordon proposed to Alma in front of the hospital where they met. Gordon and Alma were married in Doland at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in the spring of 1971. Theirs would prove to be a true, epic, and lifelong love story. That fall, the young couple moved to Yankton, SD, where Alma taught English and coached Debate.  

    The couple then lived in Sioux Falls, Webster, and Rapid City. While in the Black Hills, Gordon and Alma answered God’s calling to both serve as parish ministers for seven years at Blessed Sacrament Church, where they supported a large, faithful church community. Together they pursued degrees in ministry, living two summers in Denver, CO, where Alma earned a second Master’s degree, this one in Family Life Ministry from Regis University. In 1986, with five children now in tow, they moved to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where Alma taught English at the local university. Five years later, the family moved to the greater Washington, D.C. area, where Alma continued to teach. In 1994, the Richard family returned to the Midwest when Alma became the Director of Youth and Family Life for the Catholic Diocese of Winona, Minnesota, a position she proudly held for 14 years. Her role took her all over Southern Minnesota, as well as to Canada, Italy, and Germany. As a humble and steadfast servant of God, Alma lived out her values and practiced her faith through her remarkable hospitality and faithfully resisting the need to worry or want. 

    Alma was always up for an adventure, and once the children were grown, she and Gordon took a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. After their retirement, the couple returned to their home state of South Dakota and Alma’s hometown of Doland, where they lived for ten years. From there, they enjoyed regular trips to both coasts to visit their children and grandchildren, tending their summer garden, and volunteering with several local organizations. Alma was always kind, loving, and generous with her talents and time. In the summer of 2018, Gordon and Alma moved to Alcester, SD, to live closer to their eldest daughter and her family. 

    Alma was often referred to as “the church lady,” yet she was also known as a “Jill of all trades.” A lifelong learner, she always had several projects on which she was working. She was a writer, an editor, a flutist, an artist, a painter, a seamstress, a gardener, a baker, and a public speaker. A trait she inherited from her mother, Marjorie, DIY-ing was a favorite hobby: Alma could reupholster furniture, refurbish a dresser, hang cupboards, tile a floor, and operate all the saws. She renovated and/or beautifully redecorated several rooms in the many homes she lived—often overnight or while someone was away. Alma also relished late nights staying up to finish a novel, watching “oldies” on television, baking the most amazing caramel rolls, or decorating dozens of cookies for her grandchildren and community events. To her children, she was their “precious Mommy,” and she rocked all of her babies on her lap even as they were full grown adults, until she no longer could.   

    Alma was a cherished wife and mother, a devoted daughter, sister, auntie, friend, educator, faithful servant, and thoughtful minister. She delighted in each of these roles, and with her gentle and joyous nature, she also brought her wit, humor, and sass to her close relationships. Her motherly love was given freely, without expectation or demand; she was a supportive parent and partner, encouraging her family members to chase their dreams and to be their own, unique, and independent selves. She enjoyed a deep, loving, and abundant life as promised by her Lord, Jesus Christ. Diagnosed with a rare brain disease in 2021, Alma was lovingly cared for by Gordon, and she passed on to Eternal Life on Easter Monday, April 10, 2023. 

    Alma is survived by her husband of almost 52 years, Gordon, and their five children: Holly Richard (James Hoefelmeyer) and granddaughters Andromeda & Elektra, South Dakota; David, Wisconsin; Damian and grandsons Sean and Beau, California; Daniel (Carolyn), Maine; Hillary Richard (Joseph Mullins) and grandson, Sunday, Minnesota. Her brothers, Doug (Eileen) Lake and Jim (Barb) Lake; her cousin Michael Turrisi; her nieces Amy (Mike) Harmon, Sarah Lake, and Heather Turrisi; her grandnephews Jackson Lake and Tristan Lake; as well her extended family members through marriage, including her sister-in-law Jean Jones, nieces Heidi (Scott) Henle, Kelli (Evan) Erickson, Kelly Jo Fallon, nephews Jarrett Jones, Sterling (Nicole) Jones, Benjamin Richard, Erik Ehn, and their families, and many close family friends including the Poskie-Thiel and Schaller families. Alma was preceded in death by her parents; Gordon’s brothers; her stepsister, Lynn Hansen Haverlock; and her beloved nephew, Justin Dean Lake. 

    Friends, family, and community members are invited to attend services on Saturday, April 15th, at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church in Beresford, SD. Visitation will begin at 12:00 pm; Mass will be held at 1:00 pm. A reception with refreshments will follow. 

    Memorial gifts in Alma’s name may be directed to the two following organizations: 

1. Children’s Home Society of South Dakota 
   Donate here: https://chssd.org/support/donate 
   The Children’s Home Shelter for Family Safety (formerly The Children’s Inn) houses a 24-hour emergency shelter and provides services for victims of domestic violence. You can hear Alma’s younger brother, Jim, talk about why this type of community support is needed and why it’s so important to their family here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=248955633270489&ref=sharing 
    2. The Brain Donor Project 

Donate here: https://braindonorproject.org/support-us/ 

The Brain Donor Project, in partnership with the NeuroBioBank of the National Institutes of Health, orchestrates brain donations while educating the public about the urgent need for brain tissue donation for scientific research. Alma had an extremely rare condition that damaged the small blood vessels in her brain, leading to strokes. She was always adamant about wanting to donate her body “to science,” and through her “Gift of Hope” her brain will now help contribute to a deeper understanding of neurodegenerative conditions.