Richard Warn

Richard passed away with family by his side on February 25th, 2025 in Staples, MN after a long journey with dementia.

Richard was born October 15th, 1951 in Eveleth, MN to Robert and Inez Warn. He graduated from Eveleth High School in 1969.

He worked in many different trades as a young adult, including photo finishing and road construction. He also completed college coursework in elementary education at St. Cloud State University before taking a job in the Trident Seafoods maintenance department in 1989. Over the next 30 years, Rich proved to be a dedicated, vital employee, eventually retiring from the purchasing department. Rich’s co-workers, family, friends and neighbors attest to his work ethic and generous spirit. He rarely turned down an opportunity to help out. In his free time, he could often be found fixing vehicles, mowing, reconstructing, painting or building all kinds of things for others. He and Gail also restored a historic house where Gail ran her custom frame shop, and Rich cut and assembled frames.

Rich and Gail were married on June 7th, 1980 in Rothsay, MN and raised their family in Staples. Rich was a proud father to Allison and Laura, always their most dedicated fan and most patient and reliable practice partner at the tennis and basketball courts. He found great joy in sharing his love of hiking, biking, camping, canoeing and sports with his family and friends. He also enjoyed bringing his family back to the Iron Range and North Shore to explore his stomping grounds. Rich was an artist of all kinds–enriching the world with his paintings, photography, writing, snow sculptures, drawings, handmade canoe paddles, and guitar music.

His laugh, humility, and creativity will be greatly missed and gratefully carried on in his loved ones.

Richard is survived by his wife of 45 years, Gail Warn; daughters, Allison (Jason) Ranallo and Laura (Joel) Lundeen; grandchildren, Elijah Lundeen, Jona Lundeen, Quinn Ranallo, Hannah Ranallo and Myles Lundeen; siblings, brother Robert (Yvonne) Warn, sister Marilyn (Jim) DeRubis, brother George Warn; sisters-in-law, Carolyn Howland (Harley), Mary Lou (Robert) Zimmermann, Linda Cariveau, nieces and nephews; and close family friends, the Coughlin family, and the Williams family. He was preceded in death by his parents, aunts and uncles, niece, sister-in-law Elizabeth ‘Betty’ Warn, mother-in-law Evelyn Ohe, brother-in-law Donald Cariveau, and brother-in-law Larry Ohe.

A service and lunch will be held at Faith Lutheran Church in Staples, MN on Friday, April 11th at 12:00pm, with visitation starting at 11:00am. Lunch to follow at the church.

Richard will be interred at South Immanuel Church in rural Rothsay, MN.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Brenny Family Funeral Chapel, Staples.