Richard Allen Filkins

Richard Filkins age 85 of Tracy, MN died Friday, July 9, 2010 at his home. Services will be held 11:00 AM Tuesday, July 13, 2010 at Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy. Visitation will be from 5:00 until 8:00 PM Monday, July 12, 2010 at the Almlie Funeral Home in Tracy, with a prayer service at 7:30 PM and continuing one hour prior to the service at the funeral home on Tuesday. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in St. Paul, MN. The Almlie Funeral Home of Tracy is handling the arrangements. Richard Allen Filkins was born May 15, 1925 to Earl and Grace (Rowell) Filkins on a farm one mile east of Tracy, MN in Redwood County. He was baptized and confirmed in the Christian faith and attended Tracy Public Schools. As a young man he farmed with his family, before he enlisted in the U.S. Army in November of 1944. After his basic training in the infantry, Richard was assigned to the 25th Cavalry Recon Troop, as a Military Policeman and later served as an automotive mechanic. He served in the Pacific Theater in the Philippines and also in the occupational forces in Japan. In November of 1946, Richard received his honorable discharge, having attained the rank of sergeant, and returned to the family farm near Tracy. On January 29, 1953 Richard married Edna Knoblauch at her parent’s farm east of Tracy. They made their home on a farm near Amiret, MN on the Cottonwood River and remained there until his retirement from farming in 1994. That year they moved into a home they built on his family’s original farm site where he was born. Richard was a farmer his whole life and enjoyed the outdoors. In the past he also did some custom corn shelling and carpentry work. He was a member of the Tracy VFW and Tracy American Legion. In his retirement he enjoyed his woodworking shop, tinkering with pump engines and spending time with his friends, playing cards and pool at the Tracy Senior Center. On Friday, July 9, 2010 Richard died peacefully at his home, with his loving wife by his side, at the age of 85. Richard is survived by his wife, Edna Filkins of Tracy, MN; one son, Dayle (Cindy) Filkins of Truman, MN; three daughters, Mary Ellen (Jo) Pyle of Tracy, MN, Luann (Jerry) Dirschel of Rochester, MN and Karen Filkins of Tracy, MN; three grandchildren, Dan (Kristina) Pyle, Tom Pyle and April (Jon) Krull; two great grandchildren, Madison and Michael; special cousin, John Hagerty; and many friends. His father and mother preceded him in death.