Richard "Dick" Werner

Richard "Dick" Werner, 94, Surprise, AZ, formerly of Rosholt, SD, passed away Saturday, July 18, 2009, at the Boulder-Broomfield County Hospice in Louisville, CO, after a serious fall followed by a stroke.
Funeral services were Saturday, July 25, at 10:00 a.m. at Bethania Lutheran Church in Rosholt with Rev. Harold Watrous officiating.  Music was provided by Lana and Paul Sand.
Burial was in the Bethania Cemetery, Rosholt.  Honorary pallbearers were his grandchildren, Michele (Dankey) Krznarich, Jeffrey Dankey, Maria (Dankey) Lang, Sarah (Werner) Peterson and Mathew Werner.  Active pallbearers were Tom Rice, Bob Tarvin, Lawrence Hellwig, Chuck Wurzinger, Craig Wurzinger, Dale Wurzinger, Richard Reisenweber, Andrew Wimer, and Jim Greenland.
Visitation was Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eggers Funeral Home in Rosholt, and continued Saturday one hour prior to the service at the church.
Dick was born March 29, 1915, in Paradise, ND, to Karl and Christina (Hieb) Werner.  He spent his youth and attended school in Eureka, SD.
In 1933 Dick left the family farm to join the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in the Black Hills of South Dakota.  He moved to Britton, SD, in 1937 to manage the Farmers' Union Co-op.  Here he met Evelyn Wurzinger "the love of his life" and they were married on September 28, 1938, in Sisseton.
During their first years of marriage, they lived in Britton, Winner, and Sisseton.  After managing several co-ops, Dick bought the Allis Chalmers dealership in Rosholt, SD, in 1945.  Over the years, he expanded the business into Werner Chevrolet and Implement with the motto, "We have it, we'll get it, or it isn't made."  He loved dealing, working, and visiting with people; he was a born salesman!  After closing the business in 1965 due to health problems, he became a traveling salesman.  He covered parts of seven states after forming his own company Factory Direct Sales.  He was awarded the honor of top salesman in the United States for Richardton Manufacturing Co. in 1978.
Through the years, Dick was a member of numerous civic organizations including the Rosholt Commercial Club, Masonic Lodges, and Rotary Clubs.
Traveling with his wife, Evie, they enjoyed cruises and tours all over the world.  They both loved to go dancing and play bridge.  Dick enjoyed gardening, making beautiful, silver jewelry for his family and friends, and at age 80 learned the computer.     T
he past thirty years, Dick and Evie have lived in Arizona.  In February of 2009, they moved to Colorado to be near their daughter Carol and family.
His beautiful spirit, sense of humor, and loving ways will be forever missed by Evelyn, his wife of 70 ½ years; daughter, Carol (Joe) Dankey; daughter-in-law, Diane (Gary) Halse; five grandchildren, Michele (Nick) Krznarich, Jeffrey (Wendy) Dankey, Maria (Charles) Lang, Sarah (Eric) Peterson and Mathew Werner; five great-grandchildren, Morgan and Aiden Peterson, and Andrew, Katherine and Camille Krznarich; two sisters, Helen and Lenore; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.
Dick was preceded in death by his parents; son, Ronald; two brothers; and two sisters.