Richard Nestor Yliniemi

Richard Yliniemi, age 77, of Menahga, MN died Tuesday, October 30, 2018 at Green Pine Acres Nursing Home in Menahga, MN. Richard Nestor Yliniemi was born August 5, 1941 to Levi Immanuel Yliniemi and his wife Ida Jukua Yliniemi, on the Yliniemi farm in Toad Lake Township, Becker County Minnesota. The family later moved to a farm in Spruce Grove Township. Richard attended country school in rural Menahga and then graduated from Menahga High School in 1961. Richard and his brother David and other friends went to work driving gravel truck. They were working on a road near Ada, MN, in September 1964, when Richard met his future bride after a football game one fall evening. Richard married DarLayne Rinerson the following spring on May 8, 1965.  After their marriage, they bought a farm from Ida Longfors-Yliniemi and moved to Runeberg Township in November 1965. Six children were born to this union: Rick(Debbie) of Menahga, Laura Ahlf(Marty) of Menahga, Duey(Lisa) of Watertown, MN, Leann(Janet) of Sebeka, Levi(Andrea) of Menahga and Ron(Lesley) of Menahga. Richard farmed, drove milk truck and then in 1972 found his life vocation. He became a bus driver for the Menahga School District and drove for 43 years before retiring.  He enjoyed and loved all of his "kids". Through the years he drove regular bus routes, late bus, and busloads of kids on trips and to sporting events; including busing his sister Bonnie and the grandchildren of former students. He loved the children he bused and was never shy about sharing his love for Jesus with his students. He never met a stranger, because it wouldn't be long before they would be sharing his love for his Savior. Richard enjoyed hunting, fishing and taking trips with DarLayne. They traveled with DarLayne’s sister DeAnne and her husband to Oregon three times, California four times and Richard and DarLayne made three trips to New Hampshire and Massachusetts. He liked to watch sports and he loved watching his children and grandchildren play. But most precious  of all was the time spent with his family including Sunday dinners with his children and grandchildren and Christmas, which was  always a favorite time of year because the whole family tried to be together to celebrate the birth of Jesus. He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister Alice. Left to mourn, his wife of 53 years and his six children; grandchildren: Melissa, Rob, Scott(Gina), Travis, Tyler, Alicia(Casey), Cierra, Tayler, Abby, Katelyn, Brody, Flynn, Mason, Ailey, Zach, Ethan, Linkin, Zoe, Sebastian; great-grandchildren: Syah, Jacob, McKenzie, Kailey, Grayson, Noah; five siblings: Gladys(Glenn) Pettit of Delavan, David of Menahga, Elaine(Bud) Benson of St. Paul, Carol Myers of Menahga, Bonnie(David) Jennen of Fergus Falls and many relatives and friends. He will be forever missed but never forgotten. Visitation will be held from 5-8 P.M Sunday, November 4, 2018 at Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church, Wolf Lake, MN and continue one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 P.M. Monday, November 5, 2018 at Spruce Grove Apostolic Lutheran Church, Wolf Lake, MN. Interment will be at Pickeral Lake Cemetery, rural Wolf Lake.