SIOUX FALLS — Richard Gunderson, 86, died November 21, 2021, in Sioux Falls with his loving family by his side from complications due to treatment for multiple myeloma.
Funeral Services will be 2 p.m. Thursday, December 2, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sioux Falls, with light lunch to follow.
Interment Services will be 2:30 p.m. Friday, December 3, at St. Martin’s Cemetery in Huron, with a celebration of life to follow at the Red Arrow Bar from 4 to 7p.m.
Richard was born to Carl and Palma (Mjoen) Gunderson in Moody County on August 29, 1935, and spent a large part of his childhood in the Colman - Chester area. In 1953, he moved to Huron, where he started a job at the Venables Farm. It was there that he met his future wife, Sonja Venables.  Richard served in the Army from February 1955 - February 1957. Shortly upon return from his service, Richard and Sonja were married and continued to live and work in Huron. They would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this July.
Richard was an ambitious entrepreneur who worked at Armours for over 30 years, while developing other business ventures including: farming, tree trimming, flooring installation, real estate investment, and co-ownership in the Red Arrow Bar. He was also a long time member of the American Legion and the Sons of Norway. Richard was kind, generous, witty, and just a little bit sarcastic at times. He seemed like a tough guy but underneath it all, he really was a sweet teddy bear. He would give you the shirt off his back or buy you a new set of teeth and not expect to get paid back. He enjoyed spending winters in Sarasota, Florida with Sonja for over 20 years. Living in such a beautiful place always meant plenty of visitors.
Richard and Sonja raised their three children: Dawn, Lori, and Mark in Huron. They have spent their most recent years living between Sarasota, Florida and Huron. Just recently, they made Sioux Falls their South Dakota home.
 Grateful for having shared his life with his wife, Sonja; daughters, Dawn Olmstead (David), Sioux Falls, Lori Murphy (Keith), Huron; and son, Mark Gunderson (Laurie), Sioux Falls; his sister, Emily Schneider, Mesa, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews.
In perhaps his greatest role, Richard was an amazing grandfather to his nine grandchildren: Noah Dommer (Sarah), Natalie Kirkholm (Tyler), Jamaica Adams, and Carly Adams (Jace), Camma Murphy, Beau Murphy (Leah), Lexi Cacaro (Glenn), Chelsi Mancini (Dan), and Jordan Gunderson; 13 great-grandchildren: Toby, Harrison, Paxton, Henley, Lincoln, Archer, Hudson, Nash, Shelby (Austin), McKennah, Mazzie, Cruz, and Finn; and 8 Great-Great- Grandchildren: Axill, Alayna, Haizyn, Grey, Gemma, Legend, Krew, Lux.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; as well as his daughter, Lori; granddaughter, Camma; son-in-law, David; and great-great-granddaughter, Delaney.
 For obituary and online registry please visit www.millerfh.com