Richard "Dick" Hart

Richard K. "Dick" Hart, 95, of Highmore, passed away Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at Highmore Health in Highmore.

Funeral mass will be 1:00 p.m., Saturday, February 27, 2021, at the St. Placidus Catholic Church, Duncan (rural Buffalo County), with Fr. Christianus Hendrik, celebrant.  Burial will follow at the St. Placidus Cemetery, Duncan.  Masks are highly encouraged at the service.  All are welcome to attend but if you are unable, a recording of the service will be available on the funeral home website.  The family would like to extend an invitation to all to the Gann Valley Fire Hall for lunch and fellowship.

Richard Kenneth Hart, known as Dick, was born September 25, 1925 in Miller, SD.  He was born into a family full of love to Francis V. “Irish” and Mary Alice (Hayes) Hart. 

Dick was the middle child of six children, he had four sisters: Louise Knapp, Helen Stanley, Rita Bucholz and Lenore Wellner, the youngest of the family was Dick’s little brother, Leo.  Leo tragically passed away at nine years old from tetanus poisoning caused by a scratch he received from a sunflower weed.   

Dick grew up on the Hart Family Homestead in Buffalo County.  He attended Wide Awake Elementary and one year of high school in Gann Valley.  He attended church and Sunday school at St. Placidus Catholic Church, Duncan or the “Little Church on the Prairie”.

His mother, Mary, took ill while he was still young, and Dick had to help his dad support the family at only fourteen years old.  He went to work for Joe and Lambert Knippling at the Knippling Brothers Ranch.  While with the Knippling Ranch, he honed his ranching skills and at the same time found his passion in life. 

When he wasn’t working for Knipplings he and good friend, Bud Goodwin, rode saddle broncs, broke and traded horses.  One day while picking up a horse Dick met and fell in love with the breeder’s daughter, Lois Ellen Burki.

Dick and Lois married June 30, 1952, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Stephan, SD.  Together they started their lifelong ranching business and raising their family south of Harrold.  They had six children: Leo, Teresa “Sissy”, Julie, Janet, Ben, and Lori, all who grew up with the same love and respect for land and livestock as their parents did.  

Dick loved ranching and farming, he was recognized by the conservation district on multiple occasions for his stewardship of the land.  He was proud of his home, good angus cows and raising six kids.  He loved his family and walked effortlessly with the Lord.  He lives on in each of us and we are honored to be his family.

He will be missed by his wife of 69 years, Lois; children and grandchildren: Leo, Highmore, Teresa, Highmore, Julie (Shane) Cowan, Pierre, and their children: Jade (Brittany) Cowan and their children: Veda and Bennett Cowan, Wellington, CO, Sunni (Alex Johnson) Cowan, Buena Vista, CO, Janet (Chuck) Hoss, Goodwell, OK, Lori (Craig) Latham, Goodwell, OK, and their children: Chaney (Tyrel) and their children: Charlie and Waylon Larsen, Weatherford, OK and Sadie Latham, Goodwell, OK, sister: Rita Bucholz, Golden, CO, and a host of extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son, Benny; and little brother, Leo; sisters: Louise Knapp, Helen Stanley, and Lenore Wellner.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Dick's arrangements.