Relationship to conference: Retired elder

Date of death: May 15, 2017 at age 90

Arrangements: A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. May 25 at Centennial UMC (1524 W County Road C2, Roseville). A visitation will take place at the church one hour prior to the service. A lunch will follow the service.

Appointment information: Rev. Richards was ordained as a deacon in 1953 and as an elder in 1957. He served several churches in North Dakota and South Dakota before serving Minnesota churches in Lake Crystal, Madelia, Montevideo, Litchfield, and St. Paul (Cleveland Avenue UMC and Olivet UMC). He retired in 1992.

Rev. Richards is survived by his wife, Pauline Richards; his children, Rev. Stephen (Amanda) Richards, Rebekah (Mike Hvidsten) Richards, Elizabeth (Liz Pierce) Richards, and Deborah Richards; seven grandchildren; and siblings, Phyllis Herman, Joyce Flight, and Janice (John) Iverson. He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. Sidney and Gladys Richards.

Memorials are preferred to the Gordon L. Richards Scholarship at Hamline University, 1536 Hewitt Ave., St. Paul, MN 55104.

Cards of condolence can be sent to Pauline Richards, 3544 Glenarden Rd., Arden Hills, MN 55112.

An obituary will appear in the May 21 Star Tribune.