Richard Allen Lafond

Richard (Rich) Allen LaFond, born on August 22, 1962, in Monticello, Minnesota to Virgil and Betty (Lanser) LaFond, passed away Sunday October 22, 2023, surrounded by family.

Rich graduated from Monticello Senior High School where he participated in sports (golf, football, and basketball), marching band (bass drum) and several theater productions.

Rich moved to Mahtowa, Minnesota where he was the groundskeeper on his family’s golf course called 29 Pines. In the winter he would work at Mont Du Lac Resort. Rich then worked at the marketplace and Chris’ Food Center in Sandstone, Minnesota. Rich also did many other activities like coaching soccer, baseball, 7th and 8th grade football, and was the color for the high school sports radio. He also cohosted Coaches Corner on Saturday mornings on the Cloquet radio station through 2016.  Rich was very athletic throughout his life. He also participated in the Big Brother Program. Rich married the love of his life, Lisa in Elk River on July 20, 2013.

Rich is survived by his mother Betty; wife, Lisa; son, Andrew (Victoria) LaFond; daughters, Jaimie (Tom) Frieberg, Stephanie (Matt) Haller, Ashlee (Dave) Haller; step-son, Jeremy (Samantha) Johnson; and step-daughter, Katelyn (Joe) Topp. Rich has 7 beloved grandchildren, Spencer, Jace, Jaxon, Lukas, Alayna, Jasmine, and Kylii.