Richard Albert Berdahl, of Sun City West, Arizona, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at Surprise Inpatient Care Home - Hospice of the Valley in Surprise, Arizona. He was 81 years old.

A visitation with family present will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, August 8, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home - Downtown, located at 507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD. The funeral service will take place at 9:30 AM on Saturday, August 9, 2025, also at Miller Funeral Home - Downtown, with interment immediately following at Zion Lutheran Cemetery in Colton, South Dakota.

The funeral service will be livestreamed to Miller Funeral Home's YouTube page. To watch the service live, please click on the following link: https://youtube.com/live/0ZSxyZCgz5A?feature=share

RICHARD ALBERT BERDAHL

December 19, 1943 – July 16, 2025

Richard "Rick" Albert Berdahl was the son of Albert and Esther Berdahl from Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Their home was located at 1101 South Norton Ave in Sioux Falls.  He and his sisters played together, walked to school, and helped in the garden, when "guided."  His parents formed a foundation of faith, family and country for Rick and his sisters.  Richard was baptized and confirmed at First Lutheran Church, across the street from Washington High School.

The Berdahl and Lickness families had strong bonds with regular get togethers – lots of love and laughter.  They gathered at the house in Sioux Falls or in Colton, Hartford or Lake Madison at Auntie Olga and Uncle Severt Ordal's cabin – later the Bill Kluter family cabin.  The cousins were always excited for their time together. Cousin Andrea (Boen) McGee wrote in her diary, "Rick is coming. He plays the trumpet!"  Musically, he was gifted.  Whether singing Christmas carols, hymns or Happy Birthday, Rick's voice stood out.  He played in a dance band around the Sioux Falls area.

Rick graduated from Washington High School and attended the University of South Dakota where he got his degree in Finance. He enjoyed being a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) fraternity.  After college, he worked for a short time in Sioux Falls in accounting before serving in the United States Army.

His business career started with General Foods Corp, now Kraft Food, in Kankakee, IL. Cupid's arrow struck one evening when a sister of his friend, Roger, recognized Rick as Roger's friend and called out from the apartment balcony, "Hey, I know you." After coffee and dinner that night, they both knew they were the ones for each other. They married January 2, 1971.  Friends became family that day.

They began married life in New York.  He earned his master's degree in finance with high honors from Pace University and excelled as a leader. They had 2 sons during this time, Christopher and Timothy and moves to France, New York and Michigan. After 25 years in the corporate world, Rick resigned as president of Harter Group to start his own business – his dream. They moved to Indiana.  For the next 25 years, Rick was the president of Berdahl Associates, Inc.  Rick loved the fact he did not have to travel unless he wanted to and had more time to be involved with his family and other aspects of life.  When Timothy married Danielle in 2004, he gained a daughter.  Tim and Danielle welcomed two children, Noah, and Keiran.  Being a grandfather was a true joy for Rick, and he cherished all the moments he shared with them.  The smile and sparkle in his eyes were magnified.

Rick was an inspiration to many – trustworthy and faithful, dependable, consistent, and loved his family very much.  He served others, putting their needs before his own, whether family, friend, church or a person in need. He had compassion and patience imparted with grace.  Galatians 5:22 perhaps best defines him: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control…(NIV)"  He always said how blessed he was.  Rick, you blessed us!

He will be missed by many!!!  Our family is grateful for all the prayers we received.

Richard Albert Berdahl (81) passed away at Surprise Hospice Home in Surprise AZ.

Rick is survived by his wife Judy, son Christopher, son Timothy (Danielle); grandchildren Noah and Keiran; siblings Elaine Johnson and MaryEllen Lantis; brother-in-law Roger (Kathleen) Longtin, and many nieces and nephews and cousins. Richard was preceded in death by his parents.

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Memorials may be made to St. Jude's Hospital or Tunnel-To-Towers Foundation.

St. Jude's Children's Hospital

St. Jude's Printable Donation Form–

Mailing Address:

St. Jude's Children's Hospital

501 St. Jude Place,

Memphis TN  38105

Tunnels To Towers Foundation

2024 Tunnel to Towers Foundation - Donor_Form_2

Mailing Address:

2361 Hylan Blvd.

Staten Island, NY  10306

Visitation:

Friday, August 8

5:00p.m. to 7:00p.m.

Miller Funeral Home

507 S Main, Sioux Falls, SD

Service of Resurrection and Interment:

Saturday, August 9

9:30 a.m. – 11:00a.m.

Celebration / Family Gathering Meal and Cocktails

Saturday, August 9

Immediately following the Cemetery (~1 p.m.)

Canopy by Hilton