Richard Downing, 92 of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away on January 16, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00am on Friday, January 24, 2025, at St. John American Lutheran Church with burial on Saturday at the Mamre Cemetery in Stanton, IA. The service will be livestreamed and can be viewed here: https://vimeo.com/event/4860097

Graveside rites will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Mamre Cemetery in Stanton, IA.

Richard "Dick" Walter Downing was born April 19th, 1932, in Page County Iowa to Walter and Gertrude (Craighead) Downing.  He attended College at Iowa State University and was drafted to the Korean war.  When he returned home, he finished his education in Kansas City and graduated with a degree in Engineering.  Following school, he began his career for the Federal Aviation Agency first in Huron, SD then in Sioux Falls, SD working at Joe Foss Field.

On September 12th, 1955, Dick was united in marriage with Hilma Sederberg in Essex, IA.  Residing in Huron, SD after finishing his education in Kansas City.   They became loving parents to three children.  Dick retired in 1996 from Joe Foss Field.  Following retirement, he took a part time job parking cars at Avera Hospital where Hilma worked so that he could be near her.

Dick enjoyed flying planes and owned a small plane when they lived in Huron.  He was an avid reader, gardener and could fix just about anything.  He spent countless hours researching our family history and creating our family tree.   Dick and Hilma vacationed most summers in Custer, SD at Outlaw Ranch Bible camp with their children and later grandchildren.   Dick was a man of few words and strong faith.  Dick and Hilma were always active in their local church, serving and sharing the gospel.  Dick was a regular usher and member of the church choir.  Dick and Hilma volunteered each year during the church Harvest Festival raising thousands of dollars to help fight hunger in Sioux Falls.

Dick loved his children and grandchildren dearly and was always available to help with math homework, fix a car, and various house projects. He loved playing games with his family and enjoyed puzzles in the cold winter months, but most remembered by all were his strong yet gentle hugs.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Hilma; daughters Linda Baird (Kirk), Red Oak, IA, and Brenda Stokke (Todd), Lake Preston, SD; 5 grandchildren; Jackie Viet (John) Meridian, ID, Heather Bonetti (Jarred) Amery, WI, Jordan Baird (Alicia) Urbandale, IA, Robin Aslesen (Ben) Ankeny, IA and Chris Stokke (Mickelle) Worthing, SD; 11 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and son Steven Downing.