Richard (Dick) Stolley

Richard (Dick) Stolley entered this world on September 18, 1946, born in Murdo, South Dakota to parents Mary (Frick) and Maynard Stolley. He went to his heavenly home on March 10, 2020, after a two-year struggle with multiple myeloma and illness caused by his weakened immune system.
Dick grew up in Vivian, South Dakota. As a young man he joined the SD Department of Transportation and worked on building I-90. After I-90 was completed in the Jackson County area he eventually worked in Pierre at the DOT office, but it did not take long to get tired of living out of a suitcase, so Dick and Eileen purchased the Leewood Motel in Kadoka and operated that for 24 years. In the meantime, Dick also worked in a variety of positions including custodian at the Kadoka School and then clerk at Hogen’s Hardware. After retiring Dick worked as grounds superintendent at the Lake Waggoner Golf Course during the golf season, served as the bus monitor for one of the Kadoka School bus routes, was the grounds keeper at the Kadoka Sports Complex, and started his own mowing service business. He enjoyed maintaining the grounds and took pride in his work.
Dick had a dedication to community service. In his younger years he was a member of the Kadoka Volunteer Fire Department. He was very active in the local Lion’s Club and served a term as District Governor for western South Dakota. He served many years on the Kadoka City Council. Dick became involved in the Kadoka Volunteer Ambulance Service and became an EMT and then an EMT-I . He served on the ambulance service for 20 years and taught several classes training new EMT’s. The ambulance service was a passion as all the volunteer EMT’s are basically on call 24-7 whenever needed. They became his second family.
Dick had a great sense of humor and loved kids. He was very proud of his two sons and his five grandchildren. He loved basketball and was an avid Kougar fan. Dick was also a Nascar fan and loved watching his grandsons race motocross. He was especially looking forward to meeting his first great-grandchild.
Dick is survived by his wife Eileen of Kadoka; sons Mike (Carol) Stolley of Pierre, and Greg (Alicia) Stolley of Chadron, Nebraska; grandchildren: Bryan (Chelsey), Peyton, Jesse, James, and Kathryn; one brother Peter (Mary) Stolley of Minnesota and Arizona; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents Mary and Maynard Stolley, sister Gayle Steele, and numerous aunts and uncles.
Memorials may be directed to the Kadoka Ambulance or Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church.
Visitation was held from 5-6 p.m. on Sunday, March 15 with a prayer service at 6 p.m. at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church in Kadoka.
Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 16, at the Kadoka City Auditorium with Father Tyler Dennis as celebrant.
Interment followed at the Kadoka Cemetery.
Arrangements were with Rush Funeral Home of Kadoka.