Richard L. Legacie Jr., of Devils Lake, N.D. died at age 60 on Sunday, June 14, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, Minn. after a courageous battle with cancer.
He was born Richard Leroy Legacie Jr. on April 29, 1966, in Devils Lake, the son of Richard L. and Alvina (Buckmeier) Legacie.
Legacie was educated in Devils Lake and graduated from Central High School with the class of 1984. He joined the National Guard and served with Company C 164th Engineer Combat Battalion in Rugby, N.D. He was primarily trained in bridge building. While serving in the Guard, he worked at Noodles by Leonardo in Cando, N.D. He was instrumental in the equipment installation and equipment training when the Noodles by Leonardo opened in Devils Lake.
Legacie married Melonia Redetzke on July 17, 1993, first living in Cando before moving to Devils Lake in 2013. From 2012 to 2015, Richard began working at Summers Manufacturing. He then worked a variety of seasonal jobs including North Plains Railway fixing railroad cars, as well as Wal-Mart, UPS, and Dakota Dry Beans. In the fall of 2016, Legacie began employment with Nordic Fiberglass where he was employed at the time of passing.
Legacie enjoyed fishing in his younger years. He made many lasting memories hunting with his son and gardening was a favorite pastime. He loved to cook, and the family had many, years of reaping the benefits of his carpentry skills. He spent many weekends and holidays at the flower shop, helping Melonia deliver flowers to their destinations.
He was a quiet, hard‑working man who spoke his love through simmering pots of delicious food. Always steady, always willing, he showed up for his family with helping hands and a humble heart.
His loving family include his wife Melonia of nearly 33 years; son Nathan Legacie and daughter Jenny Legacie both of Devils Lake; mother Alvina Legacie of Devils Lake; sisters Claudia and her husband David Hogfoss, Grand Forks, N.D. and Doreen Rose of Junction City, Kan.; sister-in-law and brothers-in-law Nadine and Tom Weippert of Cando, and Rodney Redetzke of Watford City, N.D.; several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins also survive.
Richard Legacie Jr. was preceded in death by his father Richard Sr., and mother-in-law Dorothy Redekzke.
Funeral services for Richard will be held at the Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake, on Sunday, June 28 at 5 p.m. with Rev. Mr. Ken Severinson, Deacon officiating.