Richard Gale Folkerts

Memorial services for Richard G. Folkerts will be held at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, January 12, 2012 at Family Life Church with Pastor Martin Crump and Daryl Lynde of First Baptist Church officiating. Richard Folkerts, age 72, died on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at Close To Home Hospice House after a courageous battle with cancer. Richard Folkerts was born on the family farm near Emery, South Dakota on October 3, 1939 the son of John R. and Frieda V. (Mammen) Folkerts. He was the oldest of three brothers. Richard was raised and educated in the Emery area, graduating from Spencer High School in 1957. He then enlisted in the United States Army National Guard in Fort Riley, Kansas where he trained and worked as a medic. Richard met Esther in 1957, and they were married on October 3, 1958 at the First Christian Church in Spencer, South Dakota. They later moved to Los Angeles, California and both of their daughters were born there. The family moved to Gillette, Wyoming in October of 1974, where Richard worked for Petrolane Gas. He went to work in 1978 for Amax Belle Ayr Mine where he worked as a heavy equipment mechanic. He retired from the mine in 2002. Richard enjoyed bowling, playing horseshoes, fishing, hunting and camping with his family. He was an active member of the First Baptist Church and a volunteer chaplain at Campbell County Memorial Hospital. Richard enjoyed visiting the dialysis patients and others sharing his gentle heart and kind spirit. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren sharing his skills of gardening, tinkering, and building, creating memories and talking about life. Richard is survived by his daughters: Michelle (Jeff) Jarman of Spokane, Washington and Melinda (Biff) Bauman of Gillette, Wyoming; brothers: Jim (Jimmie) Folkerts of Crestview, Florida and Larry (Lisa) Folkerts of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; four grandchildren: Alexander and Zachary Jarman and Andrea and Kevin Bauman as well as numerous nieces , nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife and parents. Memorials are suggested to benefit Close To Home Hospice. Memorials and condolences may be sent in Richard's name in care of Gillette Memorial Chapel, 210 W. 5th Street, Gillette, Wyoming 82716 or condolences via the internet at www.gillettememorialchapel.com.Funeral Home:Gillette Memorial Chapel210 West Fifth Street Gillette, WYUS 82716