Richard C. Hurkes

Richard C. Hurkes, age 101, of Watertown SD passed away Wednesday, June 19, 2024.
Funeral mass will be 11:00am, Monday, June 24, 2024 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Watertown. Following the service there will be full military honors at the church.
Visitation will be 4-6pm, Sunday, June 23, 2024 at Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel in Watertown.
Interment will be at a later date at St. Mary's Cemetery in Watertown.
Pallbearers will be Richard's grandchildren.
Richard Charles Hurkes was born October 21, 1922 in Watertown, South Dakota to Charles and Isabell M. (Kranz) Hurkes. He grew up in Watertown and graduated from Watertown High School.
Richard was working at Hurkes Implement until he joined the Army Air Force on October 29, 1943. He served as a radar mechanic and was promoted to corporal, earning several badges during his service. Richard was honorably discharged on February 13, 1946. He returned to Watertown and continued to work at Hurkes Implement.
Richard married Shirley Jean Schweiger on June 6, 1947 in Watertown.
Following his father's death Richard took ownership of the implement and continued to work at the implement into his 90's. He could fix about anything; and was the number one mechanic for Knipco heaters well into his 90's.
Richard enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and bird watching, especially "Martins".
He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church, Elks, Eagles, American Legion and VFW.
Richard achieved many service awards through the implement dealership. In 2018, the mayor of the City of Watertown noted a day as "Richard Hurkes" day.
Grateful to have been a part of Richard's life are his loving children, Mike (Violet) Hurkes, Jon (Denise Crevier) Hurkes, David (Sandy) Hurkes, Jean (Paul) Ruhr and Julie (Jerome Helten) Matteson all of Watertown, SD; his brother, Fr. Charles Hurkes of Tewksbury, MA; 14 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Shirley on August 18, 2007; two sons, Joel and Pat Hurkes; his brother, Edward Hurkes; his sister, Mary McLaughlin; granddaughter, Abbie Ruhr; great-granddaughter, Faith Hope Hurkes; and great-grandson, Christopher J. Stricherz.
Wight & Comes Funeral Chapel serving the family - www.wightandcomes.com.