Richard Ferderer

Richard Ferderer went home to the Lord and to his wife Helen on Sunday April 24, 2016. A vigil service will be held on Sunday, May 1, 2016 at 6:00 p.m. at O’Connor Memorial Chapel. Funeral liturgy will take place on Monday, May 2, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church followed by rite of committal at Mount Olivet Cemetery. O’Connor Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Richard was born in Price, North Dakota on February 15, 1931. He was one of 10 children. He left home to work in Washington. Richard then volunteered with the Marines and served in the Korean Conflict. Upon return, while driving truck, he met and fell in love with Helen Lewis. The two were united in marriage on February 19, 1955. They settled in Great Falls where they raised their three children. Richard worked for Consolidated Freightways, was the Secretary/Treasurer of the Teamsters and worked for North American Van Lines. Additionally, he held a number of jobs in retirement. Richard was very active and a dedicated servant in the Great Falls community. He was a devout catholic and participated in numerous charity activities. He was an active AA member for 34 years and was dedicated to serving his AA family. His practice of the twelve steps lead him to meetings everywhere including delivering the twelve steps to prisoners in the Great Falls prison once a week for five years. He was a member of the Moose and Elk’s clubs. He served for twenty years with the Navy Seabee Reserves. He appreciated his service time and the men and women with whom he worked. He was a staunch democrat and an avid Cincinnati Reds fan. Richard lived and enjoyed an active lifestyle, from walking to North Dakota, to golfing and bowling in Great Falls to jumping into the Missouri River for the annual Polar Bear Plunge. He also enjoyed doing random acts of kindness and practiced doing this every day. It followed his life time philosophy that he was terrific and getting better. Mostly, Richard fiercely loved people. His love for friends and family will be large part of his legacy. He was loved and will be missed deeply by many. He is survived by his brother, Alex (Emillie) Ferderer; sister Lily (Leo) Janzer of Mandan, ND; his three children, Jeff (Kris Whipple) Ferderer of Everett, WA, Jerry Ferderer of Great Falls, and Darlene (Robert) Deichert of Firestone, CO; grandchildren Jennifer Foley and Tiffany (Johnny) DeRuyter both of Fairbanks, AK, Tamara Deichert of Clarksville, TN, and Christina Deichert of Laramie, WY; and great-grandchildren Emma, Ozlo, Atticus, Sloane, and Fianna. Special thanks to all of the medical personnel at Sletten Cancer Center, Benefis Healthcare, and Peace Hospice for your expertise, love, and compassionate attitude. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Rivers Edge Trail, Sletten Cancer Institute memorial brick, or Peace Hospice, which can be sent to 3000 5th Avenue N.W., Great Falls, MT. 59404.