Richard Lee Laporte

Richard Lee LaPorte passed away Saturday evening, March 16, 2013 at the Hays Medical Center in Hays, Kansas at the age of 79. He was born October 14, 1933 to Victor J. and Adella L. (Komrofske) LaPorte in Hastings, Nebraska. He attended local schools in Hastings. He was united in marriage to Hazel Mary Harvey on January 27, 1952 in Hastings. They were blessed with six wonderful daughters, Teresa, Pamela, Michelle, Brenda, Lisa and Mary. Richard worked for Kansas-Nebraska Gas Company for 37 years, working in several towns to include Hastings, Holdrege, Lakin, St. Francis and Plainville. He was a member of the First Lutheran Church and Lions Club in Plainville. Richard knew a lot about nature. He loved the outdoors, birds and all animals, nature watching, fishing, gardening, metal detecting, woodworking, country driving, and in his younger years, hunting. Richard liked to tinker and could fix anything. He so enjoyed the time with his family on summer vacations at Johnson Lake. He taught his girls about the stars and constellations. Richard loved spending time with his grandchildren whether it was napping or playing with them. Left to cherish his memory is his wife Hazel; daughters, Teresa LaPorte of Plainville, Pam Hayzlett and husband Randy of Lakin, KS, Michelle LaPorte of Williston, ND, Brenda Koehler of Plainville, Lisa Lyke and husband Jim of Buffalo, NY and Mary Collins and husband Justin of Minneapolis, KS; twenty-two grandchildren, sixteen great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Robert LaPorte and wife Lucille of Hinkley, IL and James LaPorte and wife Helen of Hastings, NE; and sister, Beverly Dedrick and husband Harvey of Hastings, NE. Preceding Richard in death are his parents, Victor and Adella; granddaughter, Rachel Ostwald; siblings, David LaPorte and Shirley Mitchell; and 2 sons-in-law, Tom Koehler and William Smith. God doesn’t promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, no sun without rain, but he did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way. Richard’s memory will remain with his family and friends. Reception: First Lutheran Church