Richard "Dick" Shelton, age 80, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021, at the Huron Regional Medical Center, with his family by his side.

As per his wishes, he will be cremated.

A memorial visitation was held from 1:00 to 4:00 PM on Sunday, January 10th at the Kuhler Funeral Home, with his family present from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Sunday afternoon.

Memorials may be directed to the HRMC Foundation .

Richard Ray Shelton was born April 18, 1940, to Ray and Flosie (Wright) Shelton at Rockford, Illinois. He later graduated from Parsons College at Fairfield, Iowa.

On August 15, 1959, Dick married Katrina Nellie Stahl at Byron, Illinois. Together they made their home at Fairfield, Iowa, Aurora, Illinois, Byron, Illinois, Lincoln, Illinois and finally Huron, South Dakota. They added four children to their family, Belinda, Kent, Tina and Amy, and would later gain ten grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

Dick was a man of many talents and passions. He was a shrewd businessman, as an insurance adjuster; owner of a liquid fertilizer company; served as Vice President at Lincoln College at Lincoln, Illinois; admission director at Huron College; owner of Dairy Queen; owner of a cable company in Adak Island, Alaska; served as Vice President of Huron University; was a real estate broker, and yet would give the shirt off his back. He mentored many people with his kind words and unbiased wisdom.

Dick had many passions that brought great joy to him. When he walked in to a room, he made a presence. He was quick to make friends, telling stories of his hunting adventures in Africa, telling jokes with a flourish, loved flying, and enjoyed spending time with his family.

He loved announcing for the Huron College basketball games and was later inducted in to the Huron University Hall of Fame. Dick was dedicated to helping the Huron community be a great place to live, by being an integral part of the South Dakota State Fair Commission, amongst other organizations.

He was a loving husband, dad, grandpa and great-grandpa "Papa Bear". He adored his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He was the rock of the Shelton family, guiding each of his children and grandchildren with his astute insight and loving touch.

Dick was known by many for his humor. Here are a few sayings that will make us smile…  "Doesn't mean I have to like it."  "Hit the last rung on the ladder."  "Lost my umbrella in this bad weather."  "Give it your best shot."  "We are the luckiest parents in the world."  "You can't succeed without trying."  "I love you!"

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Flosie Shelton; his sister, Shirley Dawson; and a granddaughter, Savannah Cernick.

Left behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 61 years, Katrina Shelton of Huron; daughter, Belinda and her husband, Paul Cernick of Rice Lake, Wisconsin and their family, Drew and Amy Cernick of Castle Rock, Colorado and Tanner Cernick and his fiancé, Lyza of Clarksville, Tennessee; son, Kent and his wife, Laurie Shelton of Huron and their family, Emily and Vance Janak of Scotland, South Dakota, Molly Shelton and her partner, Jerrad of Huron; and Taylor and her husband, Paul Kissner of Volga, South Dakota; daughter, Tina and her husband, JC Salley of Rapid City and their family, Jace Salley and Zane Salley, both of Rapid City, South Dakota; daughter, Amy and her husband, Stacy Goergen of Huron and their family, MaKayla Goergen and her fiancé, Jake of Rapid City, Sierra Goergen and her partner, Hayden of Huron and Jencie Goergen of Huron; and eight great-grandchildren.

Thank you to Dr. Robert Hohm for your friendship and continued loving care.

Thank you to all the healthcare workers at the Huron Regional Medical Center for your amazing care. Thank you to all of our family and friends for your continued support.

One more quote that says it all about Dick… "Life's journey is not to arrive at the grave safely as a well-preserved body, but rather to slide in sideways, totally worn out, shouting, "Holy Shit! What A Ride!"

View Dick's Floral Arrangements