CHASE — Richard Francis Rondeau, 97, of Chase, Kan., passed away Oct. 9, 2020 at his home. He was born July 21, 1923, in Richfield, Minn., the son of Fred and Martha Platzer Rondeau. Richard graduated from Roosevelt High School in Minneapolis, Minn., with the class of 1940, and later received a Bachelor Degree in Education from Minnesota State University in Mankato, Minn. He has resided in Chase since 1999, formerly of Belpre, Kan. 

Richard served in the United States Navy during World War II from Aug. 13, 1942 until his honorable discharge on Dec. 28, 1945. He was an elementary school teacher in San Diego County, Calif., and he had also served as a deacon in San Diego, Calif., and Belpre, Kan. of the Dodge City Diocese since 1975. Richard was also a chaplain at Larned State Prison in Larned, Kan.  He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ellinwood; and D.A.V. of Great Bend. 

On Aug. 21, 1948, Richard was united in marriage with Margery A. Engelbert in Minneapolis, Minn. She preceded him in death on Aug. 30, 2014. He is also preceded in death by his parents; two daughters, Barbara Rondeau and Catharine Rondeau; and sister, Octavia Diehl. Richard is survived by his six children, Daniel Rondeau and wife Carol of Idyllwild, Calif., Steve Rondeau and wife  Debera of Escondido, Calif., Teresa Lahar and husband Ray of Great Bend, Kan., John Rondeau of Chase, Kan., Jean Graham of Lyons, Kan., and Amy Miller and husband Jeff of Temecula, Calif.; brother, Russell Rondeau of Minneapolis, Minn.; sister, Beverly Burgraff of Minneapolis, Minn.; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.  

Funeral mass will be at 10 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 17, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ellinwood, with Father Terrance Klein officiating. Burial will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Minn. A Parish Rosary will be said at 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16, 2020 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Ellinwood. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the Wounded Warrior Project in care of Birzer Funeral Home, Lyons. 

Funeral arrangements provided by

Birzer Funeral Homes 

214 West Ave. South

Lyons, KS 67554

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Oct. 14, 2020