Richard Raymond Munson
Richard Raymond Munson was born on Dec. 5, 1946 in Fort Dodge, Iowa. He was the third child of Franklin Louis and Mary Jane Alice (Garrett) Munson who lived on a farm near Burnside, Iowa. Annette and Gary welcomed him into their family which would later include Martha.
Richard was baptized and confirmed at the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Burnside. Rich was very involved in his church and 4-H. He often had jobs helping other farmers throughout high school. Richard was never afraid of work just like his parents. In fact, it gave him pleasure and pride.
Richard graduated in 1965 from Central Webster High School, at Burnside, Iowa. He attended Peru State College at Peru, Nebraska where he graduated in 1971 with a BFA in music education. During that time he met his future wife, Letitia Marie Buss. They were married at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church at rural DeWitt on Sept. 4, 1971.
Richard was a public school music educator for 36 years all across Nebraska. Richard finished his teaching career at Chase County Schools in Imperial. Over the years, he did many other jobs as well from welding to machinery sales and repair to road construction. He was also an active member of the Cuming County Choraleers, Lions club, Nebraska Ambassadors of Music, Nebraska Band Masters Association, Nebraska Music Educators Association, and the Nebraska Education Association.
After retirement, Richard has continued his passion for music by giving lessons and doing instrument repairs. He has continued working in the garage on tractor restorations and small engine repair.
Richard passed away on April 16, 2020 at 73 years of age at the Chase County Community Hospital with his wife by his side.
Surviving family members include: wife of 48 years: Letitia M. Munson; daughter: Mary A. (Munson) Applegarth of North Platte; son: John R. Munson (Amity) of Omaha; grandchildren: Willow and Kohen Munson of Omaha; sisters: Annette C. (Bob) Palmer of Marshalltown, Iowa and Martha J. (Bill) Fisher of West Des Moines, Iowa; sister in law: Jeannine R. (Kent) Davison of Lincoln; brother in law: James E. (Linda) Buss of Beatrice; mother in law: Bertha T. Buss of Beatrice and a niece, several nephews, great nieces and nephews, cousins, a host of friends and his Dog, Bella.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, brother: Gary Munson and father in-law: Everett F. Buss.
Visitation was held Monday, April 20 from 2-6 p.m. (MT) at Liewer Funeral Home in Imperial. A second visitation was held Wednesday, April 22 at Griffiths-Hovendick Funeral Home in Beatrice from 10 a.m.–1 p.m. (CT) Graveside services were held at 2:00 p.m. (CT) at Oak Grove Cemetery at DeWitt. with Pastor Kent Griffen officiating. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Imperial. Memorials will be left to the designation of the family.
Online condolences may be left at liewerfuneralhome.com
Liewer Funeral Home is entrusted with arrangements