Richard Bent

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Richard E. “Dick” Bent, of Faulkton, passed away Sunday, February 13, 2022, at Faulkton Area Medical Center.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30 a.m., Friday, February 18, 2022, at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church, Faulkton, with Fr. Randy Phillips presiding. Wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Thursday, February 17, 2022, with visitation one-hour prior, all at the church.

Richard Edwin Bent was born December 8, 1938, in Miranda, SD to Arthur E. and Lena (Ickler) Bent. He attended Faulkton High School, graduating in 1956. Dick enlisted with the Army National Guard serving from 1957 until his honorable discharge in 1960.

Dick was united in marriage to Joan Aesoph on September 26, 1960 at St. Thomas The Apostle Catholic Church in Faulkton. They moved to Aberdeen for a few years where Dick worked for South Dakota Park and Recreations. In 1962, they returned to Faulkton where they established their home and began raising their family. He and Joan assumed ownership along with operation of the Faulkton Cream Station, as well as continuing on with the state parks, covering the Faulkton Lake area until 1970.

Dick worked with Lenny Skillingstad through Miranda Lumber for a few years, learning his craft as a carpenter. In 1970, he started Bent Construction which he operated until 2010. Throughout his years, it is highly likely he has either worked on or given advice on close to every property in Faulkton. Dick loved sharing his knowledge of construction and would spend all the time needed to help others gain that knowledge.  

After retiring from construction, Dick could always be found at KC Lumber. He was never shy to offer a helping hand at the lumber yard. Even a few days prior to his death, he was still receiving calls to ask his opinion on items that may be needed for a project. In what free time Dick had, the community could always find him drinking a cup of coffee or driving around town just checking out things that needed to be worked on. He also served many years on the Faulkton City council and enjoyed making rosaries from the golf balls he found while working in the state parks.

Dick’s life will forever be cherished by his wife of 61 years, Joan; his children: Pam (Larry) Shoultz, Huron, Tina (Steven) Butler, Huron, Chad (Vicki) Bent, Aberdeen, and Christi Fox, Arizona; grandchildren: Nick Bent (Danelle Krueger), Heather Shoultz (Tanner Grohs), Spencer (Shauna) Shoultz, and Tyler Shoultz, Jordan (Christa) Butler, Tanner Butler, Keeli Bent (Blake Cwach), Max, Chloe, and Jude Bent, Kiya Hammill, and Braydon Fox; great-grandchildren: Kaleb, Ethan, Brandon, Delsie, Jaxon, Bristol, Benton, Sawyer, Sayler, Braxton, Ara, and Quinn; longtime friend, Alan Kathner; brother-in-law, Robert Meyer; sister-in-law, Maryann Bent; the loving Aesoph Family; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings: Delores Ford, Donna Bent Schmidt, Charles Bent, Bonnie Meyer, and Roger Bent.

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