Richard Alex Irlbeck, age 84 of Redwood Falls, entered eternal life at the St. Cloud Hospital on June 28th, 2019, the Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 3 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church in Redwood Falls.  Visitation will be 4:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the church, with a 7:00 p.m. prayer service.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.  Burial is in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Seaforth.  Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Richard Alex Irlbeck was born February 28, 1935, to Charles and Grace (Lohaus) Irlbeck in rural Morgan.  He was baptized and confirmed into the Catholic faith.  He attended District #67 country school and St. Raphael’s grade school in Springfield.  In 1954, he graduated from St. Anne’s High School in Wabasso.  Richard was united in marriage to Collette Pistulka, his bride of over 62 years, on September 15, 1956 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth.  The couple made their home on a farm in rural Wanda.  In 1957, they purchased a farm in Vesta Township, where they raised their family.  Richard was a dedicated, hardworking farmer who loved his land, planting and harvesting, and raising livestock.  He retired in 1999.  In past years, Richard served on the Redwood County ASC board and on the Vesta Elevator board.  In 2008, the couple moved to Redwood Falls.  Richard was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather.  He considered his 27 grandchildren and 31+ great-grandchildren to be one of life’s greatest blessings.  He was a man who listened with is heart and taught not by words, but by the example of the way he lived his life; encouraging, influencing, and inspiring; always being there for family and friends with love and support.  Visiting with his coffee buddies was an important part of Richard’s daily routine where they would share stories and solve all the world’s problems.  Richard was an amazing example of what it means to be always ready to offer a hand or lend an ear.  He was a man of wisdom and had a loving heart.  Serving God and living his life with a purpose involved daily Mass, Rejoice Prayer Group, reading his Bible and praying the rosary.  Richard was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Seaforth for over 50 years; and in retirement attended St. Catherine’s in Redwood Falls.

Richard is survived by his wife, Collette; children: Anita (William) Walter of Sleepy Eye, Joel (Joleen) Irlbeck of Vesta, Jan (Rick) Lothert of Brainerd, Gina (Michael) McKeown of Sleepy Eye, Lisa Balko of Redwood Falls, Kim (Ronald) Salfer of Sleepy Eye; 27 grandchildren: Kaleb (Sara) Walter, Judd (Jen) Walter, Naomi (Bryan) Weiss, Raina (Nicholas) Klisch, Brandon (Clara) Irlbeck, Justin (Heather) Irlbeck, Megan Irlbeck, Shane Irlbeck, Alec (Rehanna) Lothert, Erin (Zach) Lunbohm, Reed (Emily) Lothert, Paige Lothert, Tessa (Anthony) Parisek, Sr. Mary Elia McKeown, Jaye (Andrew) Turbes, Cole (Teresa) McKeown, Brynn McKeown, Kyle McKeown, Darik (Sarah) Mertens, Malori (Cale) Blare, Austin Mertens, Joel Balko, Zachary (Nikki) Salfer, Scott (Abby) Salfer, Mariah Salfer, and Sean Salfer; and 31+ great-grandchildren.  Richard is also survived by his siblings: LeRoy (Jane) Irlbeck of Springfield, Eugene (Diane) Irlbeck of Wanda, Jerome (Susan) Irlbeck of Redwood Falls, Margaret (Jerome) Altermatt of Gaylord, Mary (George) Walter of Redwood Falls; in-laws: Felisa Rohlik of Tucson, AZ, Rose Pistulka of Glenrock, WY, Marlys Pistulka of Rosemount, Bernadine Pistulka of Vesta.  He is preceded in death by his parents: Charles and Grace Irlbeck, siblings: Donald and Dorothy Irlbeck, in-laws: Stephen and Susan Pistulka, Rev. Celestine, Cleo, Cletus, and Emery Pistulka, David Rohlik, son-in-law Ronald Mertens, and grandson Abraham Lothert.