Richard W. Lambert, 72, of Oklee, MN died on Monday, December 12, 2011 at Freedom Living Center in Oklee, MN surrounded by his loving family. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, December 16, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee, MN with Father Joe Richards Presiding and Father Chuck Huck Con-celebrating. Burial will follow at St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Oklee, MN. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee, MN. Visitation will also be held from 9:30 AM until 10:30 AM on Friday at the church. Richard Walter Lambert was born on May 21, 1939 in Wyandotte, MI the son of Walter and Marion (Boucher) Lambert. He was baptized into the Catholic faith in Michigan and confirmed at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee, MN. Richard attended early grades at the Lambert Township School and graduated from Oklee Public School in 1957. During his high school years, Richard farmed with his father and worked for farmers in the Argyle, MN area. He also enjoyed rabbit hunting, riding his motorcycle and drag racing. During the summers, he went to Milwaukee, WI where he did factory work. Following high school, Richard worked with his uncle, Dewey Lambert in his painting and decorating business. On December 29, 1962, Richard was united in marriage to Mary Ann Radniecki at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Plummer, MN. They made their home in Bemidji, MN for a short time before Richard was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the Signal Corps. After completing his basic training at Ft. Ord in California, he was assigned to Ft. Gordon in Augusta, GA. He was Honorably Discharged in 1965 and they returned to live at Oklee, MN. Richard started operating a drag line for Radniecki & Jensen Construction, digging water holes in the Dakotas. He later worked for Swingen Construction of Grand Forks, ND where he was a mobile crane operator doing bridge work in NW Minnesota and North Dakota. Richard was forced to retire from his construction work in 1988 due to his failing health. He then worked for the City of Oklee in maintenance until suffering the first of several strokes in 1989. Richard enjoyed traveling, snowmobiling, beer and wine making, just driving around, cutting wood, gardening, yard work, mowing lawns and watching M*A*S*H and Hogan's Heroes DVDs. Richard was a family man who wanted to be with his wife and children as much as possible, even when work made it difficult. He loved dancing a fast waltz with Mary Ann, fishing and camping with the family, deer hunting with his sons - he was the sharp-shooter, and every seven years, they saved up enough money to go on a family trip. His last trip in 2000 was to Italy on a pilgrimage with Mary Ann, Kristi and Cindy. Richard was a man of strong moral values, who had a great sense of humor and never complained about anything, even throughout his illnesses of 43 years. Because of his deep Catholic faith, he accepted the path he was given. Richard had dealt with diabetes, cancer, broken bones, Parkinson's, kidney failure, vision problems, strokes, heart attacks and said, "I think I have had everything but a baby!" He is a member of the St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Oklee, MN, Knights of Columbus, and Local 49 Operating Engineers. Survivors include his loving wife of almost 49 years, Mary Ann Lambert of Oklee, MN; 7 children, Kristin (Brian) Emanuel of Hibbing, MN, Debbie (Kevin) Amiot of Red Lake Falls, Trini (Brian) Cyr of Glyndon, MN, Scott (Shannon) Lambert of Oklee, MN, Nathan (Bambi) Lambert of Glyndon, MN, Tim Lambert of St. Cloud, MN and Cindy (Adam) Dallmann of Thief River Falls, MN; grandchildren, Kadie, Ryan and Bella Amiot, Jedre, Jaret, Jocylin, and Jaeger Cyr, Devin, Connor and Carson Lambert, Annika, Aubrey, and Sawyer Lambert, Keaton Dallman; step-granddaughter, Kayla Emanuel; sisters, Lois (Earl) Vraa of Durand, WI, Sandy Lambert of Tucson, AZ, Jo Lambert of Oklee, MN and Gail (Art) Bowlin of Nicholson, MS; sister-in-law, Mary Ann Lambert of Cudahy, WI; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by an infant son, Michael; parents; and brother, Robert. Accompanist: Barb Melby Cantor: Sherry Knott Casketbearers: Scott Lambert, Nathan Lambert, Tim Lambert, Jedre Cyr, Ryan Amiot, Devin Lambert Giftbearers: Connor Lambert & Jocylin Cyr Readers: Jaret Cyr & Kadie Amiot Military Honors: Oklee Honor Guard & Minnesota Army National Guard Honor Guard