Richard Lee Stempges, age 74, of Sioux Falls, SD passed away on October 16, 2025.

Memorial Service will be 1:00 pm Friday, October 24 at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 5500 W. 26th Street, Sioux Falls, SD with the family present one hour prior to the service.  There will be private burial at Maplewood Cemetery, Luverne, MN.

He was born to Elmer and Alice (Everett) Stempges on April 26, 1951 in Pipestone, MN. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone, MN. He graduated from Pipestone Central High in 1969 and furthered his education at Granite Falls, MN Vocational School taking up Industrial Electronics and graduated in 1971.

He enlisted in the US Army Reserves in Marshall, MN in 1971 and later transferred to the National Guard in Luverne, MN completing his service in 1979.

Richard was united in marriage on May 22, 1971 to Alvira Dethmers in Holland, MN. Following their marriage, they lived in Marshall, MN and later moved to Luverne, MN and finally to Sioux Falls, SD.

His career included various opportunities. He was an electric motor repairman in Luverne, MN and later was a semi-truck driver for Fleming Companies in Luverne. He was an electrician at Miller Building Systems and a route driver at Iron Mountain Shredding both Sioux Falls, SD. He also worked as a semi-truck driver for Cross Country Freight Solutions in Sioux Falls before retiring on May 23, 2013.

In their free time, Richard and Alvira enjoyed hiking, weekend camping, and longer trips with their travel trailer.  They cherished winter vacations in Arizona and Texas.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Alvira Stempges of Sioux Falls, SD; one daughter Lisa Wiese (Dan) of Luverne, MN; grandchildren Alex Wiese (Stacey) of Brandon, SD, and Tanner Wiese (Jordyn) of Hartford, SD; great-grandchildren Cali Wiese and Brooklyn Wiese of Brandon, SD.

Preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Alice (Everett) Stempges; an infant brother, John Stempges an infant grandson, Scott Daniel Weise.