Richard D. Draeger, 67, Linton, passed away at his home on Thursday, June 18, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 10:30AM on Saturday, June 27, 2015 at the United Methodist Church, Linton, ND with pastor Marlin Sapp officiating. Visitation will be on Friday, June 26, from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. at Myer's Funeral Home, Linton, ND where a prayer service will be held at 7:00 PM. Burial will be at Mandan Union Cemetery. Richard was born to Peter and Dorthea (Hauck) Draeger on November 27, 1947 in Bismarck.He was raised on the family farm near Hazelton and graduated from Hazelton High School in 1966. In his early years, he attended auctioneer school and worked independently as an auctioneer in addition to farming on the family farm. Richard and Alva were married June 7, 1974 at United Methodist Church in Mandan, ND and made their home on the family farm south of Hazelton.Although farming and ranching were his lifelong passions, Richard held numerous jobs supporting a large family. These included: owner of RD Construction, numerous police positions, hunter safety instructor and retired from the ND State Penitentiary as a correctional officer (23 yrs.) and as the City of Steele Municipal Judge (30 yrs). Richard was a member of the Missouri River Breakers Good Sam's Camping Club.Richard was a true outdoorsman. He loved hunting and fishing but more importantly loved sharing this with his family. Family time was always important to him whether it was playing cards, picking rock, cleaning barns, butchering and more. He took great pride in teaching his grandchildren many life lessons along with attending their many activities.He is remembered by many as a family man who was never short of funny stories, compassion, and a strict father who instilled a strong work ethic in his children.Richard leaves behind his loving wife of 41 years, Alva (Rolfe) (Greig) Draeger, Linton; three sons, Thomas Greig, WA, Conway (Daniela) Schatz, CO, and Peter (Stevie) Draeger, Bismarck; daughters, Bonnie Schweitzer, IA, Tamara (Kory) Bitz, LaDonna Draeger, Ida (Ben) Erickson, all of Bismarck; grandchildren Dillon Alvarez, Noah Bitz, Isabella Erickson, Olivia Bitz, Zayden Horne, Serenity Horne, Lane Erickson, and Eric Schweitzer; brother, Alden (Carol) Draeger, WI, sisters, Theresa Lee, CA, and Dorie (Al) Deringer, Fargo, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Jerome and Clifford, sister, Cecilia Skar, and an infant grandson, Issac Bitz.