Richard Lyle Semon

Richard Lyle Semon was born on November 17, 1935 to Isaac and Ina Sallila in Hibbing. He was raised by Clyde and Lilah Semon in the Ridgewood neighborhood of Virginia. He passed away in the home he built on this same property on February 11, 2026.

He attended Virginia High School and entered the Army in 1958. He was later also a member of the National Guard. He married his wife of 55 years, Gloria Jean Knoll on August 1, 1970. He worked as a heavy equipment operator for the City of Virginia and retired after 35 years in 1994. He is remembered as a thorough and extremely hard worker who attacked every project with an unwavering amount of Sisu. Often, that also meant the smallest jobs turned into the most complicated.

Gardening and maintaining his home were great sources of pride. Deer hunting with friends, fishing on Lake Vermilion, and blueberry picking in Ontario, Canada were some of his greatest pleasures in life. In a series of bigger and better campers and Dodge trucks, he spent many years travelling to Arizona, Canada, and the American West, all at the urging of his wife.

Richard was most proud of his daughter Jennifer and his two grandchildren, Julia and Daniel Rudolph, as well as their partners Jamie Jones and Siiri Pontinen.

Richard survived many illnesses and surgeries throughout his 90 years. Every doctor and nurse quickly realized that he was a jokester despite his health concerns. His life may have been more difficult than most but he did have much to be thankful for as a result of his strength and fortitude. He made it clear that he wasn’t ready to leave us. He will be deeply loved and remembered by his family.
 

Preceded in death by his parents and his in-laws, Jack and Edna Knoll, his foster brother and sister Gerald Holmes and Florence Mickelson, and Warren, Dick and Evelyn Rodby-Semon as well as 9 of his siblings.

He is survived by his wife Gloria; daughter Jennifer (Bob) Ancel of Gilbert; granddaughter Julia Rudolph of West Eveleth and grandson Daniel Rudolph of Minneapolis; sister, Martha Csargo of Chisholm; special nieces Joann (Ed) Hackett; Tammy (David) Paulson; Kathy (Steve) Rudh; and his cat Fuffy.

The family would like to thank Moments Hospice for their support and compassionate care.

A memorial service is planned for 1pm on Monday, February 16, 2026 at Range Funeral Home in Virginia. Visitation begins at noon. A spring burial is planned.