Richard Wayne LaHaise was born and raised near Drayton, ND on December 10, 1953 to Joseph and Edith (Silewski) LaHaise. He joined the ND Army National Guard on December 2, 1972, right after high school and was active until September 22, 1984. He attended Fort Knox in Kentucky for his basic training and became part of the 957th Engineer Company Float Bridge. In his 12 years of service, he was never deployed and only had to do service in North Dakota including the Flood of 1979.
After his military service, Richard worked at numerous businesses throughout Grafton. He worked with Hanson Kopperud, Heritage Ford, Wilson Auto Parts, Marvin Windows and Home of Economy. He was united in marriage to Cecilia LaHaise on August 29, 1992. Richard finally retired in 2021.
He had a love of cars and the races, especially NASCAR. He loved camping with his wife and dog, bowling, spending time with family and friends, and he especially loved a good party with music and dancing.
Richard is survived by his wife Cecilia; children Melissa Grzadzieleski and Joey LaHaise; step-children: Darren Eng, Laura Kasprick, Barett Eng, and Ryan Eng; grandchildren: Kaylan, Mariek, and Hailey Grzadzieleski; step-grandchildren: Mason, Betsey, and Jager Eng, and Haley, Kylie and Jens Eng; siblings: Jerome and William LaHaise; brother-in-laws: Brian (Michelle) Janikowski, Todd (Roxanne) Janikowski; sister-in-laws: Myra Howard and Cathy Janikowski; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Joanie; and brothers Duane and Robert.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the Grafton City Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.
After his military service, Richard worked at numerous businesses throughout Grafton. He worked with Hanson Kopperud, Heritage Ford, Wilson Auto Parts, Marvin Windows and Home of Economy. He was united in marriage to Cecilia LaHaise on August 29, 1992. Richard finally retired in 2021.
He had a love of cars and the races, especially NASCAR. He loved camping with his wife and dog, bowling, spending time with family and friends, and he especially loved a good party with music and dancing.
Richard is survived by his wife Cecilia; children Melissa Grzadzieleski and Joey LaHaise; step-children: Darren Eng, Laura Kasprick, Barett Eng, and Ryan Eng; grandchildren: Kaylan, Mariek, and Hailey Grzadzieleski; step-grandchildren: Mason, Betsey, and Jager Eng, and Haley, Kylie and Jens Eng; siblings: Jerome and William LaHaise; brother-in-laws: Brian (Michelle) Janikowski, Todd (Roxanne) Janikowski; sister-in-laws: Myra Howard and Cathy Janikowski; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Joanie; and brothers Duane and Robert.
Graveside services will be held on Saturday, July 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM at the Grafton City Cemetery. Military rites will be provided by the Grafton American Legion Post #41 and the North Dakota National Guard Honor Guard.