Richard "Dick" Thomas LaBarre

Richard Thomas LaBarre, 87, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, died Friday, April 18, 2014 at Ecumen-Emmanuel Nursing Home, Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. Dick was born on July 3, 1926, the son of Leopold and Marie (Rivard) LaBarre in Starkweather, North Dakota. He was raised and educated in Devils Lake, North Dakota. As a young man, Dick served in the United States Army until receiving a medical discharge. He was united in marriage to Ruth Schiller on December 31, 1949 in Wadena, Minnesota. They made their home in International Falls, Wadena, and California, until moving to Detroit Lakes in 1957. Dick was employed at Schiller Insurance, ERA Northland Realty, and owned Lakes Credit Bureau. Throughout his sales career, Dick's true passion was developing lakeshore and other properties in Becker County. Throughout his life, Dick enjoyed his hobby farms, collecting coins and antiques. Dick was known as a great story teller, and would recite poems and songs from memory. He will be greatly missed by his family. Dick is survived by his sons, David (Patricia) LaBarre of Detroit Lakes, MN; Kevin (Cheryl) LaBarre of Wadena, MN; Tom (Kim) LaBarre of Chaska, MN; Mark (Barbara) LaBarre of Willmar, MN; son-in-law, Robert Corradi of Hibbing, MN; daughters, Michele (Michael) Klug of La Crosse, WI; Annette (David) Watson of Wisconsin Dells, WI; Heidi (Ken) Schumacher of Fargo, ND; twenty-one grandchildren; five great grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and two special people in his life, Brenda Hayden and Mike Kertscher. Dick was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Ruth (2005), son, Paul LaBarre, daughter, Charlene Corradi and his many loving siblings.