Richard Dennis Wark, age 59 of Lengby, Minnesota, died at North Country Regional Hospital in Bemidji, Minnesota, on January 15, 2009.

Rick was born on December 9, 1949 in Mahnomen, Minnesota, to James and Jean (LaFrinier) Wark. He graduated from Mahnomen High School and later completed classes at the technical college in Detroit Lakes.

Rick served his country honorably in the Vietnam conflict and was assigned to an artillery battalion. He earned the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Combat Medal.

Rick was self-employed for the duration of his life. Following his return from the service, he owned and operated his own sawmill business. In the early 70's Rick purchased property in rural Lengby and built a log cabin home. At that time, he began a life long love for horses – raising Morgan's.

He was talented, enterprising, hard working and self-sufficient; always working to make improvements to his home and property. Rick farmed, logged and built everything that was on his land. Rick was a kind and thoughtful man who loved all living things.

He had a sense of humor that was always with him and was a good neighbor and friend to many. Rick was dearly loved by his family and will be deeply missed.

Rick is survived by a son, Christopher (Amy) McDougall, Bagley, Minnesota; his mother; Jean Wark, Mahnomen, Minnesota; two sisters; Carole Perkins, Peoria, Illinois and Kelli (Steven) Lien, Rapid City, South Dakota; two brothers; Timothy (Connie) Wark, Fosston, Minnesota and Jeff (Phyllis) Wark, Naytahwaush, MN; 8 grandchildren, and 5 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. at Nee Gon Nee Lutheran Church in Roy Lake, Minnesota. Visitation will take place on Sunday, January 18, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Anderson ~ Mattson Funeral Home in Mahnomen. Interment will be in the Rice Lutheran Cemetery, rural Zerkel, MN.