Richard E. Westlund

Richard “Dick” Elliot Westlund Sr., 84, of Lake Park, MN, passed away Wednesday, May 7, 2025, at Essentia Health-Oak Crossing, Detroit Lakes, MN, under the care of Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Dick was born August 23, 1940, in Cormorant Township, one of six children of Albert and Alice (Teigen) Westlund. He attended school at District 10 until 6th grade and then attended Lake Park for 7th grade. Dick began working at the age of 13 in the potato house in Lake Park. He then worked for Don’s Car Wash, Collin Construction, Twin City Concrete (now Vincent Haugen Concrete) and Sellin Brothers. In 1971 he opened his own business, Westlund Excavating, in Lake Park.

Dick married Arlette Mae Gilbertson on April 22, 1960, at Park Lutheran Church. In 1964 they bought their farm and lived there until 2022 when they moved to Pelican Landing Assisted Living in Detroit Lakes, MN.

Dick enjoyed working hard and was a man of many talents. He could fabricate just about anything and enjoyed tinkering with anything mechanical. He loved hunting, fishing, raising sheep, pigs and beef cattle, and snowmobiling. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was active at Park Lutheran Church as a deacon and served on the church council and the cemetery committee for many years.

Dick is survived by his wife of 65 years, Arlette Westlund; his son, Brad (Rita) Westlund; daughter, Stacy (Scott) Bunnis; grandchildren, Beau (Shantel) Westlund, Nicholas Westlund, Ashley (Chris) Stumbo, Steven (Cynthia) Westlund, Cassandra (DJ) Westlund, Jessica (Kody) Komrosky.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his siblings, Marvin Westlund, Duane Westlund, Ardis Syvertson and Arvilla West.

Visitation will be Friday, June 6, 2025, from 4:00 to 6:00 P.M. with a memorial service at 6:00 P.M. at Wright Funeral Home, Hawley, MN. Interment will be at Park Lutheran Church Cemetery.