Richard L. Nelson

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Richard L. Nelson, 83 of Sioux Falls died Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls.

Funeral services will begin at 2:00 PM Friday, June 8, 2018 at Zion Lutheran Church, Garretson.  Burial will be in the Stordahl Cemetery, rural Dell Rapids.  Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Thursday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson.

Richard LaRue Nelson was born on May 6, 1935 in Dell Rapids, SD to Emory K. and Gudrun (Gran) Nelson. The family, which included two younger siblings, lived on a farm near Baltic, SD until 1946 when they moved to a farm near Sherman, SD. In 1953, Richard graduated from Garretson High School, in Garretson, SD.

Richard enlisted in the U.S. Army on March 9, 1954. He took basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO, followed by radio repair school at The Signal School in Ft. Monmouth, NJ. During a brief leave, Richard married Dorothy J. Stensland on July 4, 1954 at Palisade Lutheran Church, rural Garretson. He was then stationed in Lohnsfeld, Germany where he completed his active military service with the USAREUR Signal Operations Battalion. He was honorably discharged December 16, 1955.

After returning from Germany, Richard worked for Lokken Seat Cover Center in Sioux Falls, SD. He left Lokken in 1957 to start farming and farmed for 13 years in the Garretson area. After he quit farming, Richard worked for A. R. Wood Mfg. Co., Luverne, MN. In 1972, Richard attended photographic, science, and technology school. When the EROS Data Center opened in Sioux Falls, he was one of the first 13 people hired to work in the photo lab. Following the data center’s move to rural Garretson, Richard was supervisor of the custom lab. He enjoyed his work and always had a listening ear for those he worked with. In 1973, Richard received special recognition for a cost-saving suggestion that became a standard operating procedure at the data center. In 1974, as members of the “First Team,” he and his co-workers received a special achievement award from Technicolor Government Services, Inc. Richard moved to Sioux Falls in 1975. He continued to work at the EROS Data Center where he and his team received numerous accolades for their work in the custom lab. He retired from the EROS Data Center in 1996. In later years, Richard enjoyed working for his good friend, Mark Erickson, at Dakota Cub Aircraft, Valley Springs, SD.

Richard studied the commodities markets and engaged in many a trading conversation over a cup of coffee with his Uncle Vern. He liked to golf, was a fan of country music, and most of all, he loved to laugh. He will be lovingly remembered for the laughter he brought to others. Richard enjoyed spending time at Lake Oakwood with family and friends. His children were his pride and joy.

On January 4, 2018 Richard moved to Dow Rummel Village in Sioux Falls. He passed away June 2, 2018 at the age of 83. Richard’s family extends their deep gratitude to the staff of Dow Rummel Village for the excellent care Richard received while a resident there. They also extend a heartfelt thank you for the support of AsceraCare Hospice staff.

Richard will be missed by all those whose lives he touched. Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter, Laurie (Michael) Moe, Sioux Falls, SD; son, Ryan (Renee) Nelson, Garretson, SD; step-grandchildren, Amber (Roger) Koppen, Davenport, IA; Angela (Garth Johnson) Koch, Arlington, SD; Susan (Ryan) DeWitte, Sioux Falls, SD; Mitchell (Nikki Elsing) Koch, Sioux Falls, SD; sister, Dellene (Rodney) Dubbelde, Sherman, SD; brother, Douglas (Connie) Nelson, White, SD; step-great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and many special friends, including Mark and Lynne Erickson, Valley Springs, SD; Todd and Joanne Egge, Brandon, SD; Bob and Janet Caulfield, Placentia, CA; and Jason and Laura Erfman, Sioux Falls, SD.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, aunts, and uncles.