Richard J. Montanye

Richard Montanye, 55, passed away Thursday March 4, 2021.

Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 1pm at Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home. Pastor Matt Lehman will officiate. Burial will follow at Graceland Cemetery.  Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the service Tuesday from 11 am to 1pm at Bayview. The service will be livestreamed on Bayview/Freeborn Funeral Home's Facebook page.

Richard Jason Montanye was born on December 22, 1965 in Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.  He grew up in Clarks Grove, Minnesota.  Upon graduation Richard enlisted in the US Navy and saw the world aboard the USS Enterprise. After being discharged, Richard worked various jobs in the Rochester area before settling in Albert Lea where he worked as a machinist.  His most recent job was with the City of Albert Lea at the wastewater treatment plant.

One of Richard’s favorite pastimes was being a treasure hunter and gold panner. It was as much about the hunt as it was the treasure. He experienced the trip of a lifetime to the Cripple River Gold Mining Camp in Nome, Alaska.  

Richard was a longtime member of the Thursday afternoon “Book Club” and always had the most unique ability to make friends no matter the size of his surroundings.

Richard is survived by his wife, Kelly; sons, Dakota and Garrette; parents, Charles and Rose Montanye; brother, Brandon (Deb) Montanye and their children Cordero, Charlie, and Amelia; mother-in-law, Gail Maas; brother-in-law, Jason (Catherine) Maas, best buddy, Chance; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.

Welcoming Richard into heaven are; Grandma and Grandpa Cruz; baby brother, Charles; Uncle Tino, father-in-law, Tom and other aunts, uncles, and cousins

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Humane Society of Freeborn County.

A very special thank you to Mayo Clinic Neuro-Oncology Team for their care and Hammer Dieser & Mangskau, PLLP for their support of Kelly during this difficult time.