Richard Hess

Richard Dean Hess was born on January 8, 1946 to Ralph and Frances (Winter) Hess in Pipestone, Minnesota where he lived and worked on the family farm until he was 10 years old. He attended school in Pipestone and graduated from Pipestone High School in 1964. While attending high school, he joined the National Guard and served for seven years as a Sargeant. In 1965, he moved to Sioux Falls, South Dakota where he began working at First Dakota National Bank as an Assistant Vice President. On September 2, 1967, he was united in marriage to Kathryn Olsen at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Pipestone. Following their marriage, they resided in Sioux Falls. In 1977, they moved to Yankton, South Dakota, where he became Vice President at First Dakota National Bank there, as well as the Biltmore Capital Corporation. During this time, he attended Mount Marty College in South Dakota and graduated with an economics/finance degree. In 1985, they moved back to their hometown of Pipestone, Minnesota where he became a State Farm Insurance agent (who says life doesn’t go full circle). After his retirement in 2009, he was employed by Amdahl Motors. On August 27, 2024, Rich entered the Pipestone County Hospice House, where he died surrounded by family on Sunday, September 15, 2024 at the age of 78. 

Rich was an active member of Christ the King Free Lutheran Church in Pipestone, where he served as a trustee for several years. He graciously sponsored and helped many others with their sobriety (after he had achieved his own sobriety in 1980). He became very involved with the Senior LinkAge program, guiding many callers to the right path during their retirements. He also served at the Pipestone Food Shelf. In his younger years, he helped his brother rebuild cars and played softball. After welcoming three children into their lives, Rich frequently coached baseball and football, and enjoyed coin collecting, fishing, landscaping, and leisurely drives. He was the ‘family photographer’ (thank goodness!) He loved the county fair, especially the demo derby. After retirement, Rich and Kathy found snowbirding in Arizona during the winter much warmer, and developed lasting friendships there for 9 years. He could be found in the stands at many of his grandkids’ events during this time as well (he was a proud and full-time grandpa). His motto was “Keep It Simple”, and was (well) known around Pipestone for riding around on his yellow scooter. He was unselfish and always willing to help anyone in their time of need, and was a devoted caretaker for his wife for 50 years.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Kathy Hess of Pipestone; three children, Jason (Pam) Hess of Marshall, Minnesota, Lori (Scott) Wiese of Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Michelle Steineke of Dell Rapids, South Dakota; six grandchildren, Britani Wiese, Gabrielle Hess, Jacob (Madilyn) Hess, Charles Wiese, Kyle (Morgan) Steineke and Katelyn Steineke; one great- grandchild, Bregan Steineke; five siblings, Sharon (John) Paetkau of Pipestone, Harold Hess of Luverne, Minnesota, Ruth (Alan) Estby of Junction City, Kansas, Delwin Hess of Luverne, Dale (Sue) Hess of Pipestone. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ralph and Frances and one sister-in-law, Linda Hess.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Pipestone County Hospice House or Christ the King Free Lutheran Church.