Richard Joseph Picard

Richard Joseph Picard, 74, went to our Heavenly Father on Nov. 3, 2012 surrounded by family and friends.

He was born Dec. 15, 1937 to Joseph and Elise Duval Picard in Bottineau, N.D., the third of 10 siblings.

He graduated from Notre Dame Academy, Willow City, N.D. in 1955. He received his certificate in electrical and refrigeration from the College of Southern Idaho in 1983.

He spent five years in the U.S. Army with three years in Korea. He became a Korean interpreter. He worked as a mechanic, blacksmith and appliance serviceman before working for 30 years at the Aluminum Plant in Columbia Falls.

He met and married Sheila Rae Sweeney in 1969. They then moved to Whitefish where they reside.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister.

He is survived by his wife, Sheila; daughter, Karen (Berry) Rowan; and three grandchildren, Tory, Jacob and Savanna Rowan, of Tulsa, Okla.; grandchildren, Vanessa and Tyler Wentink, of Leavenworth, Wash.; and son, Scott, of Los Angeles. Siblings, Donald (Walda), of California, Irene, of Minnesota, Charles (Virginia), of Wisconsin, Russell (Janis), of North Dakota, James (Carol), of North Dakota, Thomas (Jean), of North Dakota, Dale (Kathy), of Colorado, Kathy (Ron), of Indiana and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be at the Columbia Mortuary today, Nov. 7 from 4 -7 p.m., Rosary to follow at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian burial will be at St. Richards Catholic Church in Columbia Falls on Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. with reception to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the American Cancer Society or charity of your choice.