Richard R. Mittelstedt, age 82 of Huron, SD, passed away on Friday October 18, 2019 at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.

His funeral service will be 10:00 AM Saturday, October 26, 2019 at the First Congregational Church in Huron, SD with burial at the Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Friday, October 25, with a prayer service to begin at 6:30 pm at the Welter Funeral Home in Huron, SD; or one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Richard Mittelstedt, the son of Rudolph and Martha (Huether) Mittelstedt, was born on June 25, 1937 in Wessington Springs, SD.  He attended school and graduated from Gann Valley High School in 1957.  Richard was a member of the Army National Guard and was honorably discharged. Richard worked as a farmer and rancher in Buffalo Country for a time before working as a custodian for the Huron Public School System for 22 years.   Richard retired in 1995 but he still kept busy working for Coughlin Farms for many years afterward.

Richard married Sarah Ellingsen on August 29, 1964 at the American Lutheran Church in Huron, SD.

Richard was a member of the First Congregational Church in Huron for many years serving on various church committees.  He was also a member of AFSCME and served as the union president. Richard loved volunteering for various organizations including the Beadle County Humane Society, First Congregational Church, and the RSVP.

Richard enjoyed woodworking and made all kinds of wooden toys for his grandchildren. He also was responsible for remodeling Sarah and Richard's entire house.  Richard enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening.  Richard loved camping and was a member of the Huron Rovers Camping Club.  He also loved birdwatching and was a member of the Beadle County Bird Watchers Club.  Richard's family was very important to him and he loved spending time with his family and friends, especially his grandchildren.

Grateful for having shared in Richard's life are his wife, Sarah of Huron, SD ; his sons, Richard (Jolene)  Mittelstedt of Watertown, SD,  and Rodney (Erica Boomsma) Mittelstedt of Huron, SD; three  grandchildren, Adeline, Nicholas and Kiersten Mittelstedt; two brothers, Dennis (Sharon) Mittelstedt of Chandler, AZ and Lauren Mittelstedt of Huron, SD; aunts, Violet Thurston of Oregon and Loreta Brown of Newberg, OR; sisters-in-law: Pat Mittelstedt of Chamberlain, SD, Rosie (Gary) Harrington of Huron, SD, and Alice Harrington of Mitchell, SD; brother-in-law, John (Bonnie) Ellingsen of Spearfish, SD ; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents; and brother, Melvin Mittelstedt.