July 2, 1944 – October 27, 2025
Alden L. Richards, 81, of rural Alpha, died unexpectedly, Monday, October 27, 2025, at his home.
A visitation will be held from 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM, Saturday, November 1, 2025, at the Hawkeye Community Hall. A service will follow the visitation. Interment will follow the luncheon at Alpha Cemetery.
Alden Lester, son of Gerald and Helen (Lange) Richards was born July 2, 1944, at the New Hampton Hospital. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church-Richfield, rural Sumner. Al began his education at Alpha Elementary and graduated from North High School in 1962. Following graduation, he attended Iowa State University before serving in the United States Army National Guard from 1963 until his honorable discharge in 1969. On June 4, 1967, he was united in marriage with Karen Judisch at St. John Lutheran Church-Buck Creek, rural Sumner. To this union two children were born, Chris and Deanna. Al was a lifetime farmer on the Richards family farm in the rural Alpha area. In addition to grain farming, he was a hog farmer. He was a longtime member of Farm Bureau. Al enjoyed taking his children and grandchildren for boat rides, taking trips with Karen on the Harley, and going for drives with Karen to look at the crops and stopping in Alpha for a cold beer. Al enjoyed many things but his greatest joys were farming and spending time with his family.
Al is survived by his wife of over 58 years, Karen of rural Alpha; children, Chris (Jill) Richards of Hawkeye and Deanna (Carl) Mueterthies of Waucoma; four grandchildren, Abby (Chris) Wagner of Denver, Hannah (Kyser Allen) Richards of Tripoli, Nathan (Emily Junker) Mueterthies of Des Moines and Marisa Mueterthies of Iowa City; sister, Sue (Kevin) Watson of Ames; sisters-in-law, Janice (Bill Chene) Judisch of Cedar Falls and Brenda Kerns of Fairbank; niece, Angie (Mike) Solberg of Story City; nephew, Jason Zander of Waterloo; and several other extended family members.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Lucille and Erwin Judisch; and brother-in-law, Bill Kerns.
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