Dick Raethz

Richard Raethz, 70, of Faulkton, passed away, Tuesday, May 3, 2016 at the Faulkton Senior Living.

Funeral Mass was held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, May 6, 2016, at St. Thomas Catholic Church, Faulkton with Fr. Christopher Hughes officiating. Burial followed at St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery. A wake service were held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, May 5, 2016, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Faulkton.

Richard “Dick” Raethz was born to Irvin “Jack” and Viola (McCormick) Raethz on August 25, 1945 in Ipswich, SD. Being one of three siblings, they all resided on a farm near Cresbard, SD where they lived for duration of Sharon, Dick and Larry’s education. Dick graduated from Cresbard High School in 1963; he then joined the Navy in August of that same year. He was proud to serve in the Vietnam War and in August of 1967, he was transferred from active duty to Naval reserved where he served as a radio dispatcher on the USS Kitty Hawk until his honorable discharge in August 1969.

Dick married Judy Cunningham on June 1968 and resided on the family farm.   They welcomed their first daughter, Shenelle in October of 1969.   Jerod was born in March of 1974 and Jovin arrived in December of 1976.   Dick continued farming with his father Jack on the farm until Jack retired a couple of years later. The family then moved to Faulkton in October of 1979, where Dick got his broker’s license to sell Real Estate for several years until becoming the Faulk County Director of Equalization, where he remained until he retired in 2010. During these years, he was also a proud member of the Faulkton Volunteer Fire Department as well as an EVOC driver for the Faulk County Ambulance.

Judy was diagnosed with MS in 1986 and Dick proved his love and devotion over and over in caring for her all of those years until she passed in September of 2015. His legacy was his dedication to his family in always putting them first. He has also been known for his loyalty and friendships that he has fostered over the years. He valued every friendship that he made in his lifetime. His sense of humor was also hard to beat. He had a story for all occasions that would bring a smile to everyone’s face.

Dick’s passions in life were: watching his five granddaughters grow up, golfing, fishing, his Wednesday night card games with his buddies and his dedication to the American Legion. He was always a huge supporter and contributor of the community, especially when it came to entertainment. Nothing gave him more satisfaction than seeing the smiles on the faces in the crowd when he performed with Blue Horizon. He loved singing and was often seen singing at the nursing home, even after Judy passed away. He was well known for singing songs from one of his favorite icons: Elvis Presley.

Dick was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer earlier this year and had recently battled many challenges before succumbing to the disease on May 3.

Survivors include his daughter, Shelly Sepulveda of Fountain Valley, CA; son, Jerod (Lisa) Raethz of Faulkton; sister, Sharon Johnson of Watertown, SD; granddaughters: Kayla and Haley Sepulveda of Fountain Valley, CA & Bailey, Ella and Aedyn Raethz of Faulkton; several nieces and nephews; sister-in-law: Darla Raethz of Faulkton.

He was preceded in death by his wife Judy; his two children Carmalie and Jovin; his parents: Irvin (Jack) and Viola Raethz; one brother, Larry Raethz and one brother-in-law: Dave Johnson.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Dick’s arrangements.