Richard Pudwill

Mass of Christian Burial for Richard "Dick" Pudwill, 99, of Selby will be at 10 AM, Saturday, March 14, 2026, at St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Selby. Burial will be at the Selby Memorial Gardens under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will be one hour prior to services. Richard passed away Sunday, March 8, 2026, at the Walworth County Care Center in Selby.

Richard Pudwill was born on February 5, 1927, in Emmons County, North Dakota, to John Pudwill Jr. and Pauline (Berreth) Pudwill. He grew up in the Hague area, near Herreid, on his folk's farm. From 1945 - 1950, Dick worked as a lineman for Northwest Line Builders in Baker, Montana. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in November 1950 in Sioux Falls, SD, and achieved the rank of Private First Class before being honorably discharged in November 1952. During his military service, he was assigned to B Battery, 18th Field Artillery Battalion, stationed in Germany. Following his military service, he worked at Montana Dakota Utilities in Mobridge and later relocated to Selby to work for CamWal Electric. He began his career at CamWal in 1961 as a lineman. In 1962 he was promoted to line foreman and in 1989 he was promoted to line superintendent and remained in that position until his retirement in 1997.

In 2021, Dick was honored by the American Legion Post 100, Selby, for 60-years of membership.

Dick married Phylliss Gross on June 28, 1956, in Gettysburg. The couple welcomed their first child, Richard Darcy, on July 11, 1958, and their second child, Gregory, on September 15, 1959.

He enjoyed watching his boys play sports while they were growing up in Selby, but he most enjoyed spending time with the love of his life, his wife Phylliss. They created a beautiful home together in Selby and planted a multitude of trees, bushes and a garden. They spent many days working in the yard and evenings relaxing on the back patio.

It was well known that Dick had an unsatiable sweet tooth. Needless to say, one of the treats he and Phylliss most looked forward to was a hot fudge sundae from Mr. Bob's. Coincidentally, their first home in Selby was directly behind the drive-in.

Dick and Phylliss celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary on June 28, 2025. Those who knew them regarded their marriage and life together as a beautiful and loving gift from God. They were each other's best friend, and they were rarely seen apart. Second only to Phylliss and his sons, Dick was dedicated to son Darcy's dog, Jack, and then to his own dog, "Jacques."

Dick and Phylliss were active members of St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Selby. They traveled all around South Dakota to watch their boys play sports and to visit family, and also internationally, including Germany and France, to visit their sons.

Dick is survived by his son, Greg of Selby, brothers, John C. "Buddy" of Herreid, and Kenneth (Margie) of Sioux Falls, and numerous nieces and nephews.

In addition to his wife, Phylliss, he is preceded in death by his parents, John and Pauline, son, Richard Darcy, brothers, Fred, Marion and Donald "Boots", sisters, Tody, Virginia, Betty and Grace, and his faithful companions and best buddies, Jack and Jacques.