Name: Visitation for Richard "Dick" Gregerson
Start: 2017-04-30T20:00:00.000Z
End: 2017-04-30T22:00:00.000Z
Location: Miller Funeral Home - Downtown

Richard "Dick" Gregerson

Richard Gregerson age 84 of Sioux Falls, passed away unexpectedly Tuesday April 25, 2017.

Family will greet friends from 3:00-5:00 pm Sunday April 30, at Miller Funeral Home, 507 S. Main Ave. A memorial service will be held 11:00 am Monday at First Lutheran Church.

Dick was born on April 27, 1932 in Hartington, Neb. to T.J. and Harry Gregerson. His father was a pastor, and the family moved to Marshall, Minn. and later to Sioux Falls, where Dick attended Whittier Middle School and Washington High School.

After graduating high school, Dick enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in combat during the Korean War as a forward observer, a treacherous job that entailed spotting enemy positions and calling in artillery strikes.

Following the war, Dick attended Augustana College, graduating in 1957. He then went to the University of South Dakota School of Law. In 1958, he was united in marriage to Bonnie Ellwein.

After earning his law degree, Dick joined the FBI as a special agent. His service with the FBI took him to the South during the Civil Rights Movement. In 1962, he was part of the security detail that guarded James Meredith, the first black student to enroll in the University of Mississippi.

He returned to Sioux Falls and joined the Woods, Fuller, Shultz & Smith law firm in 1963. During the next several years, Dick would work long hours to build his law practice. He and Bonnie and their two daughters, Kari and Lisa, would find time during the summers to vacation at Green Lake, Minn., one of the family's favorite getaways.

In 1978, Dick was elected to the South Dakota State Senate, where he served four years. He built a successful lobbying practice that spanned decades, a period in which he was one of the most influential lobbyists and policy experts in the state. He was also involved in Sioux Falls city government, serving multiple times on the city's Charter Revision Commission. He was active in the city's business community, serving on the board of the Sioux Falls Area Chamber of Commerce, and he was a member of several service organizations.

In 2009, The University of South Dakota Law School Student Bar Association awarded Dick the prestigious Marshall M. McKusick Award for contributions to the legal profession. Augustana recognized him in 2013 with an Alumni Achievement Award.

Dick was a loving husband, dad, grandfather and friend to many. He cherished his human relationships and he doted on the flowers planted at his central Sioux Falls home and his dog, Tuffy. He loved reading, particularly histories and biographies, and he participated for many years in a weekly Bible study.

Dick departs this life having touched and enriched the lives of so many. He is survived by daughters Kari (Mike) Higgins, Ankeny, Iowa, Lisa (Mike Wittrock) Gette, Sioux Falls; four grandchildren, Luke and Jack Higgins, Ethan and Anna Gette; his sister, Karen (Gary) Christensen, Clifton, Va; and companion Judy Rost of Sioux Falls.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and in 2008 by Bonnie.

www.millerfh.com

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Published by Argus Leader on Apr. 27, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for Richard Gregerson

Sponsored by Miller Funeral Home - Downtown.

6 Entries

Don Frankenfeld

April 20, 2021

Dick was my friend and mentor, and I miss him every day. My visits to Sioux Falls are a bit empty now, as I can’t drop in on him and share a good joke or story. He was a very good man who led a rich, full life.

Rebecca Conradi-Bauman

May 17, 2017

Dick was a man I greatly admired. Always so kind to everyone.

Dr Allen and Leslee Unruh

April 30, 2017

We will be praying for you . We are so sorry . Dick was one in a million . He will be greatly missed .

Don Frankenfeld

April 28, 2017

Dear Gregerson family,

I am so sorry for your loss. Dick was my great friend. He sat directly in front of me during our time together in the state senate. We passed notes between us like grade schoolers, sometimes serious but mostly frivolous, with many involving our conspiracy to get the better of Dick's seat mate, Senator Dick Flynn. He was smart, thoughtful and wise. He told great stories. He seemed always to have a bemused twinkle in his eye. He had an incredibly generous spirit. I know you will miss him desperately, as will I. Yet we know that he lives on in the lives of so many whom he touched. It was a privilege to call him friend.

Melinda Tibbetts

April 27, 2017

Lisa and Kari and families. You have my deepest sympathy.

I was juror #12 a number years ago when he was representing Dr. R. and Tex Hoy for SV.
The trial lasted at least 10 days but what I so remember was his presence and his one of a kind gestures. Every day- day in and day out he would walk back and forth in front of us ever so calmly and charismatically with one hand in his pocket jingling his coins for affect.Never forgot that and that had be one of his trademark moves.
Texwould flambouant waving handsandall gestures in contrast to your father calm-sofly-and very assured.
MelTibbetts

April 26, 2017

Kari, Lisa and family,

I was saddened to read of your loss. I know how much you loved your dad. He was a great guy. I have fond memories of him and Bonnie from our USD days and later in our younger years. That they took on Bernard was a testament to their love for you!

My mom passed two weeks ago so I understand your pain. It is difficult. Prayers for peace of heart for all of you.

God bless,

Suzie Klessen Wedlund

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