RICHARDSON, Ivan D., Dr. 2/28/1932 – 9/6/2020 Ivan Richardson was born in Hewitt, Minnesota on a farm to Floretta and Donald Richardson on February 28, 1932. He was a miracle baby as he was paralyzed on one side of this body through the birth process. His mother, Floretta, was told that he would have limited use of that side of his body but my wonderful grandmother would not believe that for a minute so she worked with my dad daily to help him regain the use of that side of his body. Whether it was a miracle from God or the work my grandmother did or both, my dad was able to regain all of that side and you would never know he had issues at birth. Shortly after Ivan’s birth, they moved from Hewitt to St. Paul, Minnesota. Ivan was the oldest of four children, Ray, Betty and Gene. Ray is married to Marlene, Gene is married to Joan, and Betty preceded Ivan in death in 2004. He attended and graduated from Johnson High School in St. Paul, Minnesota in 1950 where is played the trombone and was on the track team. He attended Hamlin University and graduated in 1954 with a major in political science. Ivan met Marlys Durant in 1951 and fell helplessly in love and they were married on December 4, 1953. Ivan and Marlys had four children with each being born in a different state. Steven Richardson was born on February 18, 1955 in Glasgow, Montana; Debra Richardson was born in Pasadena, California, Michael Richardson was born in Mora, Minnesota; and Timothy Richardson was born in Valentine, Nebraska. Steve is married to Lisa and has raised seven children, Nicole (Chintan Desai), Mark (Jessica), Todd (Lindsey), Chelsea (Jesse McNew), Cody Main (Jasmine.), Daniel and Carter. Deb to Erv Havranek and raised two children, Cass and Brent Fife. Mike was married to Randy Richardson and had no children. Randy preceded Ivan in death on March 18, 2019. Tim is married to Mary and has three children, Michael, TJ (Tasha) and Cliff. Ivan and Marlys have 24 great grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren. Ivan was a member of Saint Paul First Church of the Nazarene from 1932-1955. It was at First Church where he learned the importance of love and tolerance over dogma and doctrine. This church is where he said yes to the call to the ministry on the last Sunday in August 1948. Ivan served as a pastor in the Nazarene Church from 1955 through 1963. He was the minister in the Nazarene churches in Glasgow, Pasadena, Mora, Valentine and finally in Lincoln. Ivan left the Nazarene Church in 1963 and was the pastor in Douglas and Burr Nebraska while he attended the Saint Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, MO to become an ordained United Methodist minister. He served in Douglas/Burr from 1963 through 1966. Ivan served as associate pastor at Rockbrook United Methodist Church in 1966. Ivan then moved his family to Hay Springs, NE to serve as pastor from 1967 through 1970. From there he moved his family to Wahoo, NE where he was pastor of the Wahoo United Methodist Church from 1970 through 1976. While Ivan was in Wahoo, returned to the Saint Paul School of Theology where he earned his Doctorate in Theology. Next Ivan served in North Omaha at the Trinity United Methodist Church for five years and was recognized for his outstanding work in the North Omaha community. Ivan’s ministry continued on to churches in Kearney, Lincoln, South Sioux City, St. Paul and finally to Murdock where his service ended as a United Methodist pastor. At the end of his ministry, Ivan had some challenges to his faith but was able to regain his unfaltering commitment to serve the lord for the remaining years of his life. Not only did Ivan serve as a servant of the lord but he also held many other jobs in order to support his family. Some of the things Ivan did was: grave digging, brick laying, ranching out west, and a chaplain in Omaha at the hospital. Ivan also had a lawn mowing service called R&F (Richardson&Fife) that he did for several years with his grandson Brent. When Ivan retired from his lawn service, he volunteered at First United Methodist Church to work on the lawn mowing crew and folding bulletins for the Sunday services. Ivan lived his life serving others and helping the youth of the communities in which he served. Ivan and Marlys ran a teen center for three years in Hay Springs, NE. He also had what he called the “Fatal Hangnail” that was held in the church basement in Wahoo as a place for kids to gather after football and basketball games. Ivan and Marlys were able to travel extensively to places where their son Michael lived from St. Thomas Virgin Island, to Boston, to California and finally to Palm Springs where they vacation three months out of the year to be near Mike and to get away for the Nebraska cold winters. Ivan was also able to travel to Hawaii with his bride of 67 years. Ivan loved his grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. He made sure he attended all their events as long as his health permitted. He was very proud of each of his children and helped each in times of need. Ivan married and baptized all of his children and grandchildren. He was also involved in many of his nieces and nephews’ weddings either as an associate or head pastor. Ivan’s favorite past-time was reading everything he could get his hands on. He continued to read up until he was hospitalized six weeks ago even though he was losing his eyesight. Ivan’s other hobby was swimming. He loved to swim and through membership at the Lincoln YMCA, he swam 400 miles one year and lost 41 pounds. Ivan watched, along with his family, his mother die slowly assailed by dementia, blindness and Parkinson’s. He never wanted his family to suffer the way he and his siblings did during those 15 years before Floretta passed. So when Ivan fell sick six weeks ago with signs of dementia, Parkinson symptoms and loosing more of his eye sight he felt helpless to prevent his family from going through the same pain. The family found it difficult to see this once strong vital man heading down the same path as his mother. We all didn’t know what to do for him other than be there and hold his hand. We thank the lord that his journey did not last longer than it did and know in our hearts that Ivan is now with the lord he served all those years. Ivan will be greatly missed by his family but he will take his place next to his lord, his mother and father and the sister who adored him. Anyone who knew my father was probably not completely aware of the great man that he was while he walked on this earth. His family and friends knew how special he was. Rest in peace Ivan and know that we are stronger because of you. Love, Your Family (Marlys, Steve, Deb, Mike and Tim and the rest of the extended family.) Celebration of Ivan’s Life: Friday, September 11, 2020 at 10:00am at First United Methodist Church (70th & Cass St.) In lieu of flowers, memorials to Youth Emergency Services, 2679 Farnam St # 205, Omaha, NE 68131 Braman Mortuary (72 St. Chapel) 1702 N. 72 St. Omaha, NE 68114 402-391-2171