BROOKINGS — Richard (Dick) C. Waldner, 89, of Brookings, passed away Monday, December 25, 2023, at United Living Community in Brookings.  

Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 30, at First Lutheran Church in Brookings. A time of fellowship and a meal will immediately follow the service at the church. Burial will follow the meal, and take place at First Lutheran Cemetery in Brookings. Visitation will be held the evening prior, Friday, Dec. 29, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings from 5 to 7 p.m.

Richard was born at home in Huron to Harry Joseph Waldner and Lydia Mae Waldner on July 29, 1934. He received his education at six schools throughout South Dakota. He graduated from Hill City High School in 1952. After graduation, he was employed by Hill City Lumber Company and then moved with his parents to Woonsocket, where he was employed by J.W. Easland & Sons who processed alfalfa hay which they shipped to Purina Mills in Minneapolis, Minn.

On June 5, 1956, he married Josephine I. Atkins in Huron.  At that time, he was employed as a salesperson for Montgomery Ward in Huron. On Feb. 11, 1957, he was drafted by the U.S. Army. Richard did his basic training and clerk schooling at Fort Chafee, Arkansas. After training, he was assigned to the 159th Army Boat Battalion at Fort Eustis, Va.  He was honorably discharged on Feb. 11, 1959. He returned to Brookings and worked as an appliance and furniture salesperson for Montgomery Ward. In 1963, he left Wards to sell Life Insurance for Met Life.

On Oct. 1, 1965, he was employed by the Physical Plant Department at South Dakota State University.  He worked there for 34 years, with the last 8 years being as the Director of the Physical Plant Department. While working at SDSU, he obtained an Associate of Arts in Agriculture degree.  

He was a member of First Lutheran Church and served on various committees. He was active with many horse organizations, such as the SD Quarter Horse Association, SD Paint Horse Club, and SD Palomino Exhibitors Association. For many years, he was the Horse Department Manager at the SD State Fair. Richard also was serving on the Brookings County Extension Board.  

Richard and Jo raised horses and operated the Double W Ranch near Brookings for over 50 years. During this time, they received the American Paint Horse Association Distinguished Service Award and the American Quarter Horse Legacy Breeder Award.  Most recently, Richard received the SD Horse Council Horseperson of the Year award. He also was honored to receive the Friend of 4-H award from Brookings County 4-H.

 
Richard enjoyed taking his young daughters to the dirt track car races and SDSU Jackrabbit sporting events. This love for racing and the Jacks grew stronger over the years and it brought him great joy to share these experiences with his entire family.  He took great pride watching his grandkids participate in all sorts of activities from showing horses and livestock to participating in sports activities.  He was most proud of his grandchildren and having three more Jackrabbits in the family.  

Survivors include his wife, Josephine I. Waldner of Brookings; two daughters, Dawn Jo (Bill) Taylor of Volga and Gail LeAnn (Jason) Gullickson of Flandreau; grandchildren, Grady and Gage Gullickson and Lauren Taylor; brother, Raymond (Diane) Waldner of Worthington, Minn.; niece, Robyn Moser; and nephew, Stephen Waldner.

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