In Fargo, North Dakota, a local couple has surprised friends and family by finding love in their later years. Larry Richard and Nan Richard, both in their 70s, recently celebrated their marriage after a brief courtship that began following the loss of their first spouses. Their union, marked by a strong commitment to faith and family, has brought joy to their lives and the lives of their blended families.
The couple’s wedding took place in October 2023, just months after they began dating. Larry, who was widowed just a year prior, lost his wife Susan Richard in an accident following a long battle with cancer. Meanwhile, Nan had spent six years grieving the death of her husband, Bruce Carlisle, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer after a two-year struggle. Both have eight children and 27 grandchildren between them, making their union a significant merging of families.
Faith and Friendship Bring Them Together
Friends have playfully asked the couple, “So, did you have to get married?” to which they respond, “Yes, we did!” Their decision to marry was not prompted by an unexpected event but rather a deep-seated belief in the sanctity of marriage and their faith in God. Renee Johnson, a mutual friend, emphasized the importance of their shared values, stating, “They’re doing it the right way.”
Both Larry and Nan experienced profound loneliness after their respective losses. Larry described how devastating it was to return to an empty home after his wife’s passing. “He talked about how awful it was coming back to an empty house; he was very lonely,” Renee recalled. At the same time, Nan expressed her own feelings of isolation, stating, “I was a recluse; I didn’t venture out much at all.”
It was through Renee’s encouragement that Larry and Nan were introduced. After a brief coffee date following daily Mass at Sts. Anne and Joachim parish, the two began to connect over shared interests and experiences. “Larry has such a servant heart. I know he treats her very well,” Renee noted, highlighting the compassion they found in each other.
Creating New Memories Together
As their relationship blossomed, both Larry and Nan began to embrace a new chapter in their lives. They often recall a favorite quote, “Get used to different,” from the Bible-based television series The Chosen. This phrase has become a guiding principle for their journey together, emphasizing the need to adapt after years spent with their first spouses.
For Larry’s daughter, Jackie Dulka, the prospect of her father remarrying was initially met with mixed feelings. However, she recognized her father’s desire for companionship. “He’s still relatively young in his early 70s, and there’s a lot he wants to do with his life,” Jackie said, noting that both Larry and Nan have remained active and engaged in their community.
As their relationship progressed, they officially became engaged in a heartfelt proposal at the Our Lady of Guadalupe Adoration Chapel, shortly before tying the knot at the St. Paul’s Newman Center chapel at North Dakota State University. Despite the “very cold winter day with lots of snow and ice,” family and friends filled the chapel, celebrating the couple’s love.
Amid the joy of their union, both Larry and Nan have made it a point to honor the memories of their late spouses. They took flowers to their gravesites after the ceremony and included mentions of Bruce and Susan during the wedding mass. “They’re part of our heart and soul … they’re the ones who brought us to where we’re at today,” Larry reflected, acknowledging the importance of remembering their pasts as they forge a new future together.
Throughout their journey, both have found comfort in their faith. Nan participates in The Surrender Novena, a nine-day prayer that encourages trust in God. Larry, in turn, finds solace in Christian music, which provides him perspective during challenging times. “You don’t realize how much you can miss a simple hug,” he shared, alluding to the human connection that is often taken for granted.
As advocates for others who have lost spouses, Larry and Nan encourage individuals to remain open to love beyond widowhood. They believe that having a solid foundation in their first marriages has prepared them for this new chapter. “I’d encourage people to make themselves available; to look for the opportunities — go out for coffee, just to test the waters,” Larry advised, emphasizing the potential for happiness in shared companionship.
With their combined families and newfound love, Larry and Nan Richard have embarked on a journey filled with hope and renewal, proving that love can indeed flourish again, even after profound loss.
