Richard "Rick" Van Heerde

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Richard "Rick" Van Heerde, age 69, of Colton, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 13, 2021, at his home. Memorial services will begin at 11:00 AM Friday, December 17, 2021, at The Reformed Church, Dell Rapids. Burial will precede the service at 9:30 AM at the Colton Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Thursday, at the Minnehaha Funeral Chapel, Colton. The service will be livestreamed on the church YouTube channel.

Rick was born on June 25, 1952, to Gerrett and Johanna (Gelderman) Van Heerde at Sioux Valley Hospital in Sioux Falls. He grew up in the Colton area and attended Washington Country School until they moved to the Chester area, he then attended and graduated from Chester Area School. Rick entered the United States Army in July 1970 in Sioux Falls. He served in Germany during the Vietnam War. Rick married Pamela Halma on September 8, 1972, in Inwood, Iowa.  They settled in Colton and Rick continued his service to his country in the Army National Guard for 20 years. He also worked for several Coops from 1992-2014.

Rick believed that serving others was his greatest reward.  Over the years he was involved in Colton Lions Club, Colton City Council, Tri-Valley School Board, and was a Calvinist Cadet Corp Leader.  During his free time, he loved working on and restoring old tractors.  He loved helping his cousin and son-in-law during planting and harvest seasons. He also enjoyed fishing and teasing his grandchildren.  Rick was a member of The Reformed Church in Dell Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Pam, Colton; mother, Johanna Van Heerde, Colton; daughters: Robin (Tom) Jacobs, Sioux Falls, Jill (Tim) Devitt, Worthing, Kristi (Matt) Anderson, Hartford, and Heidi Van Heerde, Bemidji, MN; his beloved grandchildren: Kennedy (Calvin) Treichler, Maxwell Jacobs, Gerrett Devitt, Kate Devitt, Kendall Anderson, Lucy Anderson, and Lawrenzo Sailor; sister: Janice (Don) Reurink, Brandon; brothers: Dale (Tina) Van Heerde, Chester, and Dean (Carolyn) Van Heerde, Chester; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerrett “George” Van Heerde; and nephew, Matthew Reurink.