Richard Joseph Bourque

Age 80, of Elk River.  Passed away on January 19, 2025, in St. Cloud, MN.

He was born in Crookston MN on June 10, 1944, to William and Eunice (Boucher) Bourque. He grew up near Oklee and graduated from Oklee Public schools, before enlisting in the U.S. Army, where he was stationed in Alaska.

Following his Honorable Discharge, he moved to Minneapolis, MN where he met and married Barb Smith.  They were married for 55+ years and raised 3 daughters, Elaine, Karen, and Becky.  Richard proudly worked for Hennepin County for 34+ years as a heavy machinery operator.

He was proceeded in death by daughter, Karen; wife, Barb; and his parents; 2 sisters, Lucy and Judy; and brother, Mike.

Richard is survived by his daughters Elaine (Travis) Betterman and Becky Halvorson; son-in-law, Jay Rupprecht; grandchildren, Dustin, Cole, Amanda, Annika, William, Jonathan, Trever, Elizabeth; great-grandson, Knox; sisters, Marie (Richard) Van Vooren and Louise (Earl) Leiran; brother, David Bourque.

In lieu of flowers, the family will be accepting donations which will be directed to the St. Cloud VA Hospital (Hospice) in a show of appreciation for the excellent level of compassionate care Richard received.

Mass of Christian burial at 12:30 PM on Thursday, January 23, 2025, at the Church of Saint Andrew, 566 – 4th Street NW, Elk River, with visitation starting at 11:30 AM.

Services will be livestreamed by clicking the following link: https://vimeo.com/event/4862918

Interment in Saint Andrew’s Cemetery in Elk River, MN.