Richard Lee Lundeen
Richard Lee Lundeen died January 11, 2016 in Erie, Pennsylvania one month prior to his 50th birthday. Rich was born February 11, 1966 to Barbara (Blaha) Moen in Minneapolis. He came to live with Ralph and Margaret (Peggy) Lundeen at the age of thirteen and was later adopted into their family. He graduated from Dassel Cokato High School in 1984. Shortly after graduation, he went into the Marines and served his country from 1984 to 1991. He married Amy Klingelhoets on June 21, 1985. They later divorced but remained friends.
After his military service, Rich met Gina Fallon and her daughter Gabriella who were very dear to him throughout the years. He moved to Longmont, Colorado where he developed an interest in bicycle racing, especially in the mountains. He volunteered with the Front Rangers Cycling Club helping at risk children by repairing bikes for them to ride in racing events. As a result of his volunteerism, he was chosen to carry the Olympic torch in the 1996 Olympic Torch Relay from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Denver, Colorado. Professionally, he worked as a Quality and Training Advisor in the field of transportation in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Most recently, he was employed by GE Transportation in Erie, Pennsylvania as a Commercial Trainer.
Rich is preceded in death by his mother Barbara (Blaha) Moen, and his maternal grandparents Norman and Ruth Blaha and stepgrandmother Mabel Blaha.
He is survived by his parents Ralph and Peggy Lundeen of Cokato, his twin sister Cheryl (Mike) Mabin of Minneapolis, brothers David Juntunen of Minneapolis and Steve Severson of Buffalo, adoptive brothers and sisters Becky (Dan) Bravinder, Vicky (Paul) Neighbors, Randy (Phyllis) Lundeen, Patty (Spencer) Olson of Cokato and Joel Lundeen of Williston, North Dakota along with many nieces and nephews.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Elim Mission Church in Cokato with visitation beginning at 1:00 pm. Arrangements by Swanson-Peterson Funeral Home & Cremation Services of Cokato, 320-286-2534, www.swansonpeterson.com