Richard Elwin Sundem died on March 9, 2026, just shy of his 96th birthday.

Richard was born on March 22, 1930, to Henry and Elise (Lien) Sundem on the family farm in Beaver Creek, Minnesota. He was the second of five children, growing up in a close-knit family shaped by their strong Norwegian roots, hard work, and rural life.

When Richard was ten, the family moved to Hills, Minnesota. Just down the road lived a neighbor girl named Carol Thompson. In time, she would become his wife and the love of his life for 64 years.

He attended a one-room schoolhouse through eighth grade before graduating from Hills High School in 1948. A strong athlete, he played both football and basketball and carried that same steady determination into every chapter of his life.

Richard and Carol were married on June 3, 1950. Shortly afterward, he joined the Minnesota National Guard and was eventually called to serve at Fort Rucker in Alabama. After his discharge, they settled in Sioux Falls, where Richard began working at John Morrell. He would spend many years there, providing for his family and building the kind of work ethic that defined him.

Outside of work, Richard enjoyed trap shooting, bowling, Legion meetings, hunting, fishing, and most of all, time spent with family. He was never one to seek attention, but he showed up consistently and wholeheartedly for the people and causes he cared about.

After retiring from Morrell's, Richard continued working at Dakota Stained Glass where he framed prints and helped install stained glass. Service was simply part of who he was. He volunteered at Sanford and bagged groceries at Hy-Vee, always ready to lend a hand. He enjoyed meeting people and helping wherever he could, which is why he made friends so easily.

Richard was the salt of the earth: quiet, kind, and unassuming. Others could count on him, and he expected nothing in return. He generously gave his time and talents to neighbors and friends, often helping them remain in their homes as they aged because of his willingness to step in and help.

Even as his own strength declined, his independence and ingenuity remained. He could be seen driving his John Deere riding lawn mower to McKennan Park to attend summer concerts — an image so fitting it even made the front page of the Argus Leader.

As doctor appointments became more frequent, Richard liked to share the story about how he had his tonsils removed on the kitchen table at age two and how his grandmother rewarded him with a sucker. He would tell it with a smile and a laugh, a gentle reminder of how much the world had changed in his 96 years.

Times changed greatly over Richard's life, but his steady spirit, humility, and quiet devotion to family and community never did. Now, we trust that same faithful spirit rests in heaven.

He is survived by his three children, Viki (Karl) Dieters, Sherri (Jim) Wald and Tom (Linda) Sundem; four granddaughters, Molly Hawk, Rachel Sundem, Erica (Jon) Anderson and Sigrid (Trevor) Swanson; a daughter-in-law, Jody (Jon) Ritter; five great-grandchildren, Jackson Anderson, Asher Hawk, Payton and Leighton Dieters and Roland Swanson; one bonus great-grandchild, Brynn Ritter; his brother, Orval (Bonnie) Sundem; and his brother-in-law Donald (Judi) Thompson.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carol; his grandson, Benjamin; his brother, Harlowe; his sisters, Mary Steenstra and Doris Dooyema; his brothers-in-law Merle, Chester, Robert and Richard Thompson; and sisters-in-law Francis Aukes and Eleanor Kvaas.

A visitation, with family present to greet friends, will take place from 2:00 - 4:00 PM on Sunday, March 15th, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home - Downtown (507 S Main Ave) in Sioux Falls, SD. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Monday, March 16th, 2026, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church (909 W 33rd St) in Sioux Falls, SD. A burial will take place at Woodlawn Cemetery at a later date.