On Monday, November 20, 2023, around 12:40 p.m., Weld County lost one of its own pioneers with deep ancestral roots. Richard Wesley Mann was 102 1/2 (he said). He was born on June 24, 1921, in Purcell, Colorado, to his mother Martha Olivia Hanson and his father Herbert Edward Mann. He passed peacefully in his home in the arms of his sons, Randy Wesley Mann and Russell William Mann, and Russell’s wife, Kristin.

Richard (Dick) was an avid reader and historian of the region. He especially loved stories of the history of pioneers and cowboys that settled the west. His log cabin home was built near the confl uence of the Little Thompson and Big Thompson Rivers on the spot where the explorer Charles Fremont had his camp while exploring the Rocky Mountains.

He was a graduate of CSU with a double degree in chemistry and animal husbandry. During WWII Richard was part of the Omaha Beach landing in Normandy on Day One. The French Consul General awarded Richard their highest honor, the French Legion of Honor Medal, on October 11, 2017, for his service while in Normandy, France, during the war. After the war he established a farm near Platteville and became the Chief Chemist for Great Western Sugar Company for the plants in Johnstown, Greeley, and Eaton. He was also the mayor of Milliken.

Richard is survived and will be greatly missed by his daughter, Rhonda (Mike); and his five sons, Rick (Karen), Robert (Cassie), Randy (Kelly), Roger, and Russell (Kristin); as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. He was blessed to be able to live out his last years comfortably in his Milliken home thanks mainly to his son, Randy, and his wife Kelly and family, and his son Russell and his family and his daughter Rhonda and her husband Mike, who watched over and protected him. Also, his care keeper, Rita Riddle, spent many years caring, cooking and talking about their love of history together.

Richard was preceded into heaven by his wife, Laurilla Jane; his daughter, Rita Nielson; his parents, Herbert and Martha; his brothers, Willis and Ralph; and his sisters, Ruth Strickland and Martha Skinner.

Services to celebrate Richard’s life will be December 8 at 11 a.m. at the Journey Christian Church, 4754 W. 31st Street, in Greeley, with a reception to follow.

Memorials may be made to the “Samaritan’s Purse” in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47th Ave., Greeley, CO, 80634.

Condolences may be sent to the family at adamsoncare s.com.