Memorial services for Alice Richards will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at United Methodist Church in Ellendale. The Rev. Randy Cirksena will officiate.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at United Methodist Church in Ellendale and one hour prior to the funeral service. Alice died at 87 on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014, at Mayo Clinic Health System of Albert Lea surrounded by family and friends.

Alice (Ferguson) Richards was born Jan. 30, 1927, to Harold and Sena (Skow) Ferguson at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea. She grew up, attended school and lived her entire life in the Ellendale area. As a young girl Alice spent her time helping on the farm and singing with her six sisters, which they continued to do throughout their lives. Alice attended nurse’s training at Naeve Hospital where she received her RN status. She worked at the Owatonna Hospital, Good Samaritan Nursing Home and Fountain Lake Treatment Center. Alice was an active member in her church and choir. She was involved in many volunteer organizations, especially AA and gave her time freely to each one.

She was united in marriage to Laurel “Dick” Richards Dec. 5, 1948, at Methodist Church in Ellendale. Dick and Alice spent lots of time at their cabin in Longville, where they enjoyed visiting for hours with family and friends. They also loved to travel and dance.  Oh, how they loved to dance!

Alice will be remembered for many things, but most of all for her joyful attitude and her love of people.

Her greatest joy was her family, which includes her children Dan (Sue) Richards of Geneva, David (Joyce) Richards of Albert Lea and Lauri (DeWayne) Jensen of Geneva; grandchildren Tomm (Tara) Richards of Mankato, Brett (Jess) Richards of Albert Lea, Jena Thompson of Albert Lea, Brody (Katie) Richards of Albert Lea, Gretchen (LaShawn) Ray of Chicago and Abbey Jensen of Apple Valley; great-grandchildren Tristan, Taya, Torey and Tiegen Richards, Maxx and Maya Richards, Cole and Ethan Thompson, Jaxon, Griffyn and Ryker Richards and DaMarcus, Carson, Braxton and Brock Ray; three sisters, Anna (Fred) Foster, Mildred (Gerry) Flugum and Rosey (Eldon) Peterson; and many brother and sister-in-laws and nieces and nephews, each very important to her.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dick Richards; her parents; three sisters, Wanda (Fisher) Christiansen, Helen (Harry) Holmes and Beulah (C.Hency) Crabtree; and many other loved ones.