Richard Firle

Richard T. Firle, 84, of Little Falls, formerly Minneapolis, died Thursday, May 8, 2008 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 A.M. Tuesday, May 13, 2008 at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Little Falls, MN, with Fr. Mark Innocenti officiating. Interment with military honors by the Little Falls American Legion Post #46 and the V.F.W. Post #1112 will be in the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9:30-11:00 A.M. Tuesday AT THE CHURCH. Richard Thomas Firle was born on January 22, 1924 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to William & Christine (Kuka) Firle. At the age of 9, he moved to Sobieski to live with relatives who raised him. He graduated from Little Falls High School, Class of 1942. He enlisted in the United States Navy on September 9, 1942 and was honorably discharged on January 19, 1946. He was united in marriage to Ceal Stanek on June 28, 1948 at St. Stanislaus Catholic Church in Sobieski. The couple made their home in St. Paul. In 1952, they moved to Minneapolis where they lived for 45 years. Richard worked for Western Electric, Marquette Corporation (1952-1988) and then the University of Minnesota retiring in 1990. Following retirement, the couple continued living in Minneapolis until moving to Little Falls in May, 1993. Richard enjoyed bowling, woodworking, fishing and was an avid squirrel and birdwatcher. He was a Commander of the V.F.W. Post #2614 in Minneapolis and was currently a member of the Little Falls V.F.W. Post #1112, the Little Falls American Legion Post #46, and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church. Left to cherish his memory are his loving wife of 59 years, Ceal Firle of Little Falls; children, Tim Firle of Rockford, Kathy (Don) Schultz of Babbitt, and Sandy Truehart of Coon Rapids; grandchildren Amy (Martin) Lee, Anne (Anthony) Endreson, Jennifer (Matthew) Preston, Stacie (Dan) Endreson, Jill Kane and Adam (Jenny) Schultz; great-grandchildren, Bradley, Kyle, Payton and Wyatt Preston, Brady and Alexander Endreson, Elin and Gavin Endreson, Simon Lee and Sammy Schultz and brother-in-law, Dan Stanek of Little Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents, William & Christine (Kuka) Firle; son-in-law, Raymond Truehart; sister-in-law, Irene Haehn and brothers-in-law, Otto and Clarence Stanek and Leo Haehn.