Joe Aldrich

Eber Joseph “Joe” Aldrich, age 88, of Chester, passed away on Friday, July 5, 2024, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will begin at 4:00 PM Tuesday, July 9, 2024, at the Chester United Methodist Church. Interment will follow at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Chester. Visitation will be from 2-4:00 PM Tuesday at the church prior to the funeral service.

Joe was born on March 15, 1936, in Hawarden, Iowa, to Anthony and Juliette (Muller) Aldrich. He grew up in Hawarden and Madison, South Dakota. He attended school in Madison until entering the United States Air Force in 1954. Joe served honorably until his discharge in 1958, and then he returned to Madison and attended General Beadle State Teachers College. In 1959, he married Susan Peterson in Chester and soon began his lifelong career working for Dakota State Bank as a loan officer, branch manager, and Vice President. Joe retired from banking in 1998, and then worked part-time for a few years for Chester Farm Service.

Joe was very involved in community affairs. He was a Chester Volunteer Firefighter and EMT, was active in the Chester Commercial Club, the Elks, and the Chester Area School Booster Club. He served on the Lake County Planning and Zoning Board and the Dells Area Hospital Board. He was an active member with the Chester American Legion and the Chester United Methodist Church, where he served on several boards. Joe enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards, bowling, and visiting with friends. He had a gift for gab and made many new friends wherever he went. He was always willing to help when his friends, family, and community were in need.

Joe was a gadget and electronics guy. He had CB radios, scanners, an original satellite dish, Betamax, camcorders, many cameras, and telescopes. He was always excited to try the next new thing. More than anything else though, Joe loved spending time with his family. He was a wonderful grandpa and great-grandpa and he loved his grandchildren with all of his heart. Seeing them and spending time with them always brought a smile to his face and he was proud of each and every one of them. He and Susan rarely missed any of their special events or extra curricular activities.

Joe is survived by his wife, Susan, Madison; children: Lisa (Mark) Acheson, Chester, and Kristian (Angela) Aldrich, North Sioux City; grandchildren: Paul (Chelsea) Acheson, Amy Acheson, Cole Acheson, Kelsey Aldrich, Morgan (Cody) Potts, Carter Aldrich, and Jaycee Aldrich; great-grandchild, Camden Acheson; brother Duane (Carol) Aldrich, Hawarden, IA; brothers-in-law, Perry (Karen) Peterson, White Lake, SD and Tim Peterson, Montana; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, step mother, Pearl Aldrich, brother, Eugene, half brother Bernie Bechtel, and half sister, Toni Sly.