Richard “Rick” Carpenter

Published August 31, 2020 at 11:14 PM

Richard “Rick” Carpenter, 68, of Harrisburg, SD, passed away Saturday, August 29, 2020 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD due to cardiac arrest. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Wednesday, September 2, 2020 at Bittner Funeral Chapel. Burial will be in Graceland Cemetery in Mitchell, SD. Visitation will be from 5-7:00 PM Tuesday at Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Richard “Rick” DeWayne Carpenter was born April 25, 1952 in Wagner, SD to Lois (Cermak) and Leo Carpenter. Rick graduated from Avon High School in 1970. Rick had many fond memories of his time in Avon with friends as well as memories working in his Uncle Robbie’s Grocery Store.

After high school, Rick moved to Norfolk then Columbus, NE where he built on his career as a meat cutter. While in Nebraska, he met longtime friend, Roy Toy. In 1977 he moved back to Wagner, SD where he worked for Robbie’s Grocery. He married Karen Peterson in March, 1978. Rick and Karen had 2 wonderful sons, Chris and Chad.

Throughout his years as a meat cutter, Rick and his family lived in Tyndall, Sioux Falls, Sturgis, and Mitchell. A man with a strong work ethic, Rick set stones with Gene and Chris from 1995-2000. Rick was the meat department manager at Country Fair Food Store in Mitchell, SD until his Retirement in 2016.

Rick will be remembered for his keen wit and sense of humor as well as his gentle and compassionate spirit. He was such an easy man to be friends with, and was fiercely loyal to his treasured buddies and siblings. His love for his sons, Chris & Chad, daughter in law, Jessi, and grandchildren, Lily, Keenan, & Kendra was immense and foremost in his life.

One of Rick’s passions was riding his motorcycle. He particularly loved his bike trips through the Black Hills with his longtime friend Gene Voigt. He also enjoyed fishing, playing cards, and being around those he loved.

Rick was a father to more than just Chris, Chad, & Jess. Shawn, Miguel, and many others know his love as a father. He was a daily inspiration, and rock you could always count on.

He is survived by his sons, Chad (Jess) Carpenter, Harrisburg, SD and Chris (Destiny) Carpenter, Mitchell, SD; grandchildren, Lily, Keenan, and Kendra Carpenter, Mitchell, SD; mother, Lois Raysby, Sioux Falls, SD; siblings, Carmen (Bill Harned) Krcil, Grimes, IA, Belinda (Terry) Beeson, Dante, SD, Michael Carpenter, Avon, SD, Cheryl (John) Park, Sioux Falls, SD, and Julie Raysby, Sioux Falls, SD; and several nieces and nephews.

Rick is preceded in death by his father, Lawrence Raysby; grandparents, Maggie and Frank Cermak and Paul and Louise Raysby; and mother-in-law, Olga Peterson.