Richard Elliot Muckala, age 64, of New York Mills, passed away peacefully into God’s hands at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, N.D., Saturday, June 7, 2025, with his loving wife by his side. Funeral services were held for Richard “Dick” Muckala, age 64, of New York Mills, on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 11 a.m. at the Apostolic Lutheran Church in New York Mills with Pastor Nicholas Kandol officiating. Visitation was held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, from 4-7 p.m., with a Prayer Service and Sharing Time at 6 p.m., at Apostolic Lutheran Church in New York Mills. Visitation also resumed 1 hour prior to the service at church. The music was sung by the congregation, accompanied by Janet Tumberg. Special music provided by Michael Ortmann. The pallbearers will be Jeff Frost, Jeff Rimpila, Darrell Hunter, Jack Virnila, Brendan Frost, Harold Stanislawski and Bert Nelson. The honorary pallbearers are Perry Sullivan, Pat Sullivan, Paul Sullivan, Dan Pritchard, Jim Pritchard, Steve Pritchard, and Bert Hanson. Richard will be laid to rest at Woodland Cemetery in New York Mills.

Richard Elliot Muckala was born on February 28, 1961, in Perham. His parents were the late Calvin and Pearl (Berry) Muckala. Richard was baptized and confirmed at Apostolic Lutheran Church in New York Mills and graduated from New York Mills High School with the Class of 1979. He continued his education at the University of Minnesota Crookston, earning a Diversified Agricultural Management Associates of Science degree in 1981. From there he went onto NDSU in Fargo, N.D. to continue his education and earned his Agricultural Education Degree in 1983. He substituted around the area while continuing farming with his folks. August 1997, they sold the cattle, and Richard went to teaching full time at the Upsala High School. In 2000, he met his wife, Karen Otremba. August 2, 2002, they were united in marriage at St. Mary’s Church in Little Falls, Minn.  Fall of 2002, he started teaching at the Wadena-Deer Creek High School until his retirement in 2023. Throughout his years of teaching, he was an FFA Advisor.

Richard and Karen made their home on the Muckala Family Farm in rural New York Mills. In 2014, their farm was recognized as a Century Farm—an achievement that reflected Richard’s deep-rooted passion for agriculture and farming. They were blessed with two beautiful daughters. Kelly and Katy were his pride and joy in life.

Richard was very passionate with the FFA and has taken numerous students to not only contests but also trips to State and National FFA Conventions for many years of his career. He loved hunting but enjoyed being outdoors with nature and among the G3 hunting crew Wednesday nights. Summertime you would find him golfing on Balhepburn Golf Course with the men’s summer league. If he wasn’t golfing Wednesday nights, he went to South of the Tracks Cattlemen’s Association. You could never take the “Farm Boy” out of him as he farmed his whole life.

Richard is survived by his wife, Karen Otremba and his two daughters, Kelly Muckala (James Roberts) and Katy Muckala; many relatives and a host of friends.

Preceded in death by his parents Calvin and Pearl Muckala, father-in-law Urban L. Otremba and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Dick’s Tribute Wall.

Arrangements provided by Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of New York Mills.