Minnetonka, MN - Richard Dean Veien, age 84, died on January 4, 2026, in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Richard was born on February 16, 1941, in Owatonna, Minnesota, to Sigurd and Lorraine Veien. He attended the Southern School of Agriculture in Waseca, Minnesota, and later enrolled at Augsburg College in Minneapolis, where he studied from fall 1958 to 1962 and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education.

In 1965, Richard began his career as a junior high school teacher at Minnetonka West Junior High School, where he taught geography and American Government to 7th and 8th grade students. When Minnetonka West closed in the mid-1980s, he transitioned to Minnetonka East Junior High School, where he continued teaching until his retirement in 1998. Over more than three decades in the classroom, he dedicated himself to education and to helping students understand history, government, and the broader world.

Richard was married to Linda until 1977, and later to Jann and to Alice. Alice preceded him in death, a loss that was especially difficult for him.

He is survived by his two sons, Bjorn Veien (Claire Carrier) of Shorewood, Minnesota, and Eric Veien (Yumi Uetake) of Holden, Massachusetts; his sister, Shari Timmer; and four grandchildren, Jack, Isabelle, and Jonah Veien, and Kai Veien. He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Warren Veien.

Richard lived at New Perspectives in Minnetonka during the last years of his life.

A memorial service is planned for April 25, 2026, at Pontoppidan Lutheran Church in Ellendale, Minnesota. Final arrangements will be announced.