William “Billy” Rivard, 84, Stephen, MN and Grand Forks, ND, passed away Monday, February 13, 2023 in the Lutheran Sunset Home in Grafton, ND.
Billy was born July 9, 1938 at home in Big Woods Township, MN, the son of Fred and Eva Rivard. He was raised in Oslo, MN and graduated from Oslo High School in 1956. After high school, Billy attended UND for a year and then began farming shortly thereafter.
Billy married Judith (Judy) Jenkins on November 25, 1958 in Oslo, MN. The couple moved to Stephen, MN in 1963 where they raised their family and farmed nearby. Billy was very active in the Stephen community. He served on the Stephen Public School Board, founding member of the Stephen Curling Club, volunteered with the Stephen ambulance service, member of the Lions Club, and was very active with the St. Stephen’s Catholic Church.
Billy and Judy retired from farming and moved to Grand Forks in 1996. Billy and Judy enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, and traveled near and far to attend many special events. Billy was very active in Grand Forks Holy Family Catholic Church, spent much time volunteering at 4000 Square and delivering communion to those in need.
Survivors include his children - Julie Lipsiea of Mayville, ND; Rick (Mary) Rivard of White Bear Lake, MN; Jill Rivard of Red Wing, MN; LaVonne (Mike) Baldwin of Manteca, CA; Rod (Amy) Rivard of Baltimore, MD; Nicole (Jimmy) DeSautel of Grafton, ND; and Randy (Jamie Freese) of Hanska, MN, grandchildren - Jessica (Jered) Arneson, Patrick Lipsiea, Harry Lipsiea; Abbie (Micah) Courneya; Noelle (Adam) Kohls; Roger Hebert, Greg (Tory) Hebert, Carly (Riley) Ehrmann; Cassie Eckblad, Katie Eckblad, Kayla (Jason) Young, Tyler (Katie) Rivard, Madeline Rivard, Hannah Rivard; Kylen (Candace) Kostrzewski, and Adam DeSautel great grandchildren - Riley Arneson; Charlie and LuLu Lipsiea; Andy Jan and Daley Hebert; Eloise Courneya, and Kaleigh, Morgan, Jacob, JoJo and Oliver Delgelder and numerous nieces and nephews.
Billy was preceded in death by his wife Judy, daughter Janelle (Dale) Hebert; father and mother Fred and Eva Rivard, brothers Lloyd and Duane, sisters Mae Pilon and Winnifred Osowski; son-in-law Kelly Lipsiea; and daughter-in-law Marie Larson.
We would like to extend a thank you to Lutheran Sunset Home, Edgewood Memory Care, Parkwood Senior Living Center, and the Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery Program (Grand Forks YMCA) for all of the love, compassion, support and care they gave to Billy over the years. We really appreciate all of you!
A Celebration of Billy’s Life will be 5:00 – 7:00 PM Friday, February 17, 2023 at Tollefson Funeral Home in Grafton, ND. The funeral will be 11:00 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grafton, ND. There will also be a visitation at 10:00 AM, and a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 AM at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery of Grand Forks at a later date. Luncheon will follow at St. John’s.
* In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be sent to Lutheran Sunset Home, or the Stephen Volunteer Ambulance Service.
Billy was born July 9, 1938 at home in Big Woods Township, MN, the son of Fred and Eva Rivard. He was raised in Oslo, MN and graduated from Oslo High School in 1956. After high school, Billy attended UND for a year and then began farming shortly thereafter.
Billy married Judith (Judy) Jenkins on November 25, 1958 in Oslo, MN. The couple moved to Stephen, MN in 1963 where they raised their family and farmed nearby. Billy was very active in the Stephen community. He served on the Stephen Public School Board, founding member of the Stephen Curling Club, volunteered with the Stephen ambulance service, member of the Lions Club, and was very active with the St. Stephen’s Catholic Church.
Billy and Judy retired from farming and moved to Grand Forks in 1996. Billy and Judy enjoyed spending time with their children and grandchildren, and traveled near and far to attend many special events. Billy was very active in Grand Forks Holy Family Catholic Church, spent much time volunteering at 4000 Square and delivering communion to those in need.
Survivors include his children - Julie Lipsiea of Mayville, ND; Rick (Mary) Rivard of White Bear Lake, MN; Jill Rivard of Red Wing, MN; LaVonne (Mike) Baldwin of Manteca, CA; Rod (Amy) Rivard of Baltimore, MD; Nicole (Jimmy) DeSautel of Grafton, ND; and Randy (Jamie Freese) of Hanska, MN, grandchildren - Jessica (Jered) Arneson, Patrick Lipsiea, Harry Lipsiea; Abbie (Micah) Courneya; Noelle (Adam) Kohls; Roger Hebert, Greg (Tory) Hebert, Carly (Riley) Ehrmann; Cassie Eckblad, Katie Eckblad, Kayla (Jason) Young, Tyler (Katie) Rivard, Madeline Rivard, Hannah Rivard; Kylen (Candace) Kostrzewski, and Adam DeSautel great grandchildren - Riley Arneson; Charlie and LuLu Lipsiea; Andy Jan and Daley Hebert; Eloise Courneya, and Kaleigh, Morgan, Jacob, JoJo and Oliver Delgelder and numerous nieces and nephews.
Billy was preceded in death by his wife Judy, daughter Janelle (Dale) Hebert; father and mother Fred and Eva Rivard, brothers Lloyd and Duane, sisters Mae Pilon and Winnifred Osowski; son-in-law Kelly Lipsiea; and daughter-in-law Marie Larson.
We would like to extend a thank you to Lutheran Sunset Home, Edgewood Memory Care, Parkwood Senior Living Center, and the Parkinson’s Wellness Recovery Program (Grand Forks YMCA) for all of the love, compassion, support and care they gave to Billy over the years. We really appreciate all of you!
A Celebration of Billy’s Life will be 5:00 – 7:00 PM Friday, February 17, 2023 at Tollefson Funeral Home in Grafton, ND. The funeral will be 11:00 AM at St. John’s Catholic Church in Grafton, ND. There will also be a visitation at 10:00 AM, and a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 AM at the church. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery of Grand Forks at a later date. Luncheon will follow at St. John’s.
* In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to be sent to Lutheran Sunset Home, or the Stephen Volunteer Ambulance Service.