Funeral services for Richard E. Lehto will be at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Bonnerup Funeral Service chapel in Albert Lea. The Rev. Timothy Reker and Deacon Mike Ellis will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Military honors will be accorded by the Albert Lea veteran’s organizations.

Richard Lehto died at the Good Samaritan Society of Albert Lea surrounded by his family on Wednesday, Sept. 4, 2013. He was 70 years old.

Richard was born Oct. 11, 1942, to Ernest and Flora (Harrington) Lehto in Crystal Falls, Mich. He graduated high school in Crystal Falls. Upon graduation, Richard entered the service. He served in the United States Army from 1962 until his honorable discharge in 1964. Richard met his eventual wife while he was in the service. After serving his country, Richard moved to Milwaukee, Wis., Crystal Falls, and eventually ended up settling in Clarks Grove. Richard was united in marriage to Mary Fitzgerald on Sept. 25, 1965, in Albert Lea. To this union, four children were born.

Richard frequently attended St. Theodore Catholic Church with his wife. Richard was also a member of the American Legion. Richard worked at Streater in Albert Lea from 1977 until his retirement in 2003 as a laborer and truck driver.

Richard was a true outdoorsman. He liked to camp, hunt and fish. Richard had a special talent by creating wood burning etches. He enjoyed going for car rides. On these excursions, he would frequently stop at the buffalo farm that was outside of Bath. He also liked to check up on the state park to see who was camping. His favorite rides would be the ones he took around Geneva Lake. Richard enjoyed playing jokes on people and liked to give people a hard time.

Richard is survived by his wife, Mary Lehto, of Clarks Grove; children: William Lehto of Hayfield, Catherine Lehto of Hines; grandsons: Michael (Stormy) Lehto-Erickson of Hines and James (Cassidy) Lehto-Erickson of the Twin Cities; great-grandson, Beau Gonsoski-Erickson of the Twin Cities.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Ernest and Flora Lehto; sons: John and Thomas Lehto; brother, Robert Lehto; mother and father-in-law, John and Viola Fitzgerald.