Guest Book
Dear Patty and Family; Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Denny and Susan Walsh
~ Denny & Susan Walsh
4920 Hadaway Road, Kennesaw, GA 30152 (6/15/2004)
Patty and family
We were saddened by the news. Dick will be remembered fondly by me. I always enjoyed the time spent as a child at your home. A memory of that came tonight as I was helping my daughters girl scout troop build a campfire. I remember doing that at your farm with the boys and roasting hotdogs and marshmallows after a day of kite flying.
We will be giving a memorial to the Armour Carnegie Library in Dick's name.
Lea (Willuweit) Ymker
~ Lea & Larry Ymker & Lynn
PO Box 580, Armour, SD 57313 (6/15/2004)
Our thoughts are with you & your family's. So sorry for your loss. Dick was a great guy.
~ Susan & Jack Heinz
Philip, SD (6/15/2004)
To the Kjerstad Family: Please accept my deepest condolences with Dick's passing. While most of my dealings with Dick were at the professional level at Golden West, I truly enjoyed his positive attitude and humor, and I thoroughly respected his opinion and perspective on business matters. I hope that you find some comfort in the fact that Dick had such a positive impact on the lives of many people. Denny Law
~ Denny & Bonnie Law
47659 Jasper Street, Dell Rapids, SD 57022 (6/15/2004)
Dick influenced many people in his life and my family is proud to say we are among those that the Dick Kjerstad family has touched. God bless you and you are in our prayers. We will miss Dick.
~ Roger, Kris, Jordyn and Kaitie Stevens
202 Chapin St., Chadron, NE 69337 (6/15/2004)
Dear Patty and Family, I just wanted to let you know that we are thinking of you. Ours prayers are with you, whenever I saw Dick he always had a smile on his face. It will be different not seeing him. Sorry I didn't come to the funeral. Mom said there was lots of flowers. Take Care and be happy that Dick is in heaven now watching over all of you. Gloria
~ Wade, Gloria (Mortensen) and Michael Whetstone
5011 Milton, Gillette, WY (6/15/2004)
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~ Casey Trask Family
20900 Cheney Rd., Creighton, SD (6/15/2004)
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~ Lenden Kjerstad
Creighton, SD (6/15/2004)
Dearest Patty and Family, Our Love and Prayers are with each and every one of you and at this great time of loss. Please know that we are thinking of you. Some days it just seems like yesterday that You and Dick were married and had those wonderful children. You have a wonderful loving family and I know you can be very proud of them. Please know that we love you, and will be praying for you each day that God will walk with you hand - in - hand through this journey of life. I regret that we are unable to attend Dick's service in the morning, I have been having some health problems and will be having abdominal surgery the 28th of June, I am sorry that at this time I am not quite up to the drive to Wall. I promise to visit all of the family just as soon as I am able. We again, send our Love and Many Prayers-------- ----------------------------------------------God Bless You,Maripat and family
~ Maripat Crown and Family
3420 Corral Dr., #108, Rapid City, SD 57702 (6/15/2004)
It is with great pride I write this letter of condolence. Even though I only new Dick for a small while, I was always impressed by him, and the way he carried his life. I comes as no small gift that he gave is family during his life here. I pray for the Family and friends of Dick, and even though I will not be there in person, I will certainly be there is spirit tomorrow, when he is laid to rest. To my cousin Patty, God Bless You, and protect your during this time of sorrow. Please forgive me for not being able to attend, but hope you will understand. My love goes out to the whole family during this time, and I deeply express my deepest sympathies to you and all during this time. As a Crown, I will always be proud of the relationship and short time I was able to know Dick and know he is resting and looking down with the same love that he had when he was alive. God Bless You all, and all the family
~ Gary L. Crown
1434 Highland, Mesquite, TX 75149 (6/15/2004)
Dear cousin patty we are very sorry about dick passing and keep u and ur family in our thoughts and prayers. Your cousin Doug and Maripat
~ Doug and Maripat Crown
3420 Corral Dr., #108, Rapid City, SD 57702 (6/15/2004)
Dear Patty and family,
We extend our deepest sympathy and love to you at this time of great loss. We will always remember Dick for his unwavering faith in his fellowman and God. He leaves a legacy that will live for generations and be of great benefit all who follow. God bless you in the days that follow.
Agape Always!
Doyle and Charlotte Rahjes
~ Doyle and Charlotte Rahjes
1798 E 900 Rd., Agra, KS 67621 (6/15/2004)
Dearest Patty, Kathy and I have such fond memories of visiting your family as little girls. You and Dick were our favorite grownup friends of mom's and dad's, we truly loved you both and used to count the days until we could visit again. My deepest feelings go out to you and the boys - Dick was a beautiful person. With warmest regards, Kim Enright
~ Kim Enright
521-F Waters Edge Drive, Newport News, VA 23606 (6/15/2004)
Dear Patty and family,
We send our deepest sympathy to you at Dick's death. Our times together at Midwest Farm Bureau conferences are great memories. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Irv and Jean Bell
~ Irv and Jean Bell
4121 N. River Rd., West Zanesville, OH 43701 (6/15/2004)
I will always feel blessed to have known Dick through the American Farm Bureau. I know he is greatly missed by his family, but I am sure he is smiling down on all from a better place. My love and prayers to the family.
Barbara Spangler
~ Barbara Spangler
1814 North Veitch Street, Arlington, Virginia 22201 (6/15/2004)
trgilbert@worldnet.att.net
Dear Patty and family,
You all have our deepest sympathy on the loss of Dick. What a wonderful person he was and I know how hard this will be for you all. You will be in our thoughts and prayers.
We had such a good time visiting South Dakota. The love and pride that Dick felt showed in everything he did that week. Thank you all for sharing him with us and for sharing your part of South Dakota with us. With Prayers Bennie & Terry Gilbert
~ Terry & Benie Gilbert
P.O. Box 451, Danville, KY 40423 (6/15/2004)
Dick Kjerstad,
As a director of Golden West Telecommunications and President of Golden West Communications for nearly 13 years, Dick was an inspiring leader and driving force in the dynamic growth of Golden West Companies. In his time the company more than tripled in size and the positive economic effect of this growth will be felt in SD for a long time. Even more than that, I personally became a close friend of Dick and was drawn to his positive outlook. He always knew that we could accomplish difficult tasks. He always knew that change is with us. He never would accept "Status Quo" as that was really "losing ground" and he was never fearful of risk. Dick instead welcomed risk and cherished risk and took joy in dealing with risk. He knew that by doing so, the greatest rewards were attained.
Dick was a mentor to me and his on-going support has certainly helped me to take on issues at Golden West Companies. He was proud of his association with Golden West and its accomplishments. He was proud of being a director and took very seriously his responsibilities as a director.
And for sure, Dick and Patty became tremendous friends to Valois and I. I have been aware that this cancer was going to win but still find it very hard to accept. It seems so unfair. We miss him so much already.
Patty and family, thank you so much for your friendship through the years and know that we share in the loss of Dick. Know that his spirit and outlook will continue to be a part of all that we do and a part of the decisions we make in the years to come. In that way he will be with us always.
God Bless.
~ George & Valois Strandell
Box 382, Wall, SD 57790 (6/15/2004)
Patty and family, I'm so sorry for your loss. Dick will be missed by all who knew him. I share your sorrow and will walk with you through this valley Patty. I hope to visit you soon. My thoughts and prayers will be with you. Love, Sandy Strom
~ Sandy Strom
29914 464 Ave., Centerville, SD 57014 (6/15/2004)
Patty and Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. AS I had the opportunity to work and know Dick through AFBF, my respect for him as a leader and a person grew. He was thoughtful, dedicated and committed as a leader for Agriculture. He was humble,sincere, and caring as a person that I was blessed to know and to call my friend. Patty, Melanie and I send our love and our prayers. God bless you.
~ Ron and Melanie Warfield
367 N. 700 E., Gibson City, IL 60936 (6/15/2004)
I was very sorry to hear of Dick's passing. I knew Dick from his association with Golden West and SDATC. The smile in his eye and attitude inspired confidence in everyone around him. His passing will leave a great void. My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow.
Randy Houdek
~ Randy Houdek
Highmore, SD (6/15/2004)
Patty and family,
It is with a heavy heart that we now will have to say goodbye to a wonderful man. But it is with much happiness we have been so very blessed to say that Dick Kjerstad was a friend. He was so much more to us though.....he was a true mentor. He displayed a presence about him that few others could, no matter how hard they tried! He cannot be dulpicated! He raised his boys in the likeness of him and for that we are greatful! They and their families have all come to be good friends.We shall try to instill the same with our boys and only hope to accomplish that task! Dick Kjerstad,a man of great stature, almost noble-like, never demanding but very deserving of this title.He was always available with that wonderful smile and spark in his eye. With you, Patty, as his companion, this made for the perfect partnership! The prairie winds will blow quietly and the rains will beat softly when they come....Dick will see to that! Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
Gil, Carole and boys
~ Gil and Carole Wammen, Tate, Tal and Trey
HCR 66 Box 35, Reva, SD 57651 (6/15/2004)
Dick Kjerstad family. I first got to know Dick and his father when they and I were involved in 4-H. Later as Dick grew up and took a leadership role in local and state affairs, I admired him greatly. He will be missed by everyone who knew him. Our heartfelt sympathy to all his great family.
~ Merton & Mable Glover
9621 Diamond T. Circle, Black Hawk, SD 57718 (6/15/2004)
Patty and family,
I was so pleased when Dick said he would he would accept the president position of SDFB. He was my choice and he certainly did not let me down. He legacy will be that he was a leader with upmost credibility not only in SD agriculture but nationally as well. It has been a privilege to have had the opportunity to work with him. We extend our most heartfelt sympathy and pray that He will grant you strength.
~ Richard & Agnes Ekstrum
25691 362 Ave., Kimball, SD 57355 (6/15/2004)
Please know that we are thinking of all of you. We are very sorry for your loss. It has been a privilege to know Dick. You all must be so very proud of all he has accomplished and the highest regard he is thought of by so many. I am sorry for the hard time you have all been through. It must bring him much comfort to know you are all together taking care of one another. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Beverly & Bill Kennedy & family
~ Bill & Beverly Kennedy
Vermillion, SD 57069 (6/15/2004)
Patty and family,
Dick's leadership and compassion is an example for all mankind. His "can do" attitude was exemplary and recognized for his ability to really make a difference. His contagious smile and generosity were attributes admired by all. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you during the coming days and weeks.
Jeff and Mary Jane Muchow, Overland Park, KS
~ Jeff and Mary Jane Muchow
13902 Hayes, Overland Park, KS 66221 (6/15/2004)
Patty,
Our sincere sympathy to you and your family. I can't begin to list the many kindnesses and favors Dick has shown me and others. We will always remember the hunting trips and the poker games. Dick and you have so many friends around Wall and I am grateful you shared them with us. Dick was truly a great and good man and he is surely with the Lord now, and also with Lyle and Dick January. God bless you, Patty. Rodie and I are thinking of you.
~ Tom & Rodie Gibson
West Des Moines, Iowa (6/15/2004)
Judilurz@aol.com
Patty and family...Our sympathies in the loss of Dick. He will always be remembered as a very dedicated and committed man. He lived his life to the fullest and he should be here still to continue to do so. Bless Dick and his family. Our prayers are with you. Sincerely, Dick and Judy
~ Dick and Judy Lurz
12005 W. Belleview Dr., Littleton, CO 80127 (6/15/2004)
You have our sincerest sympathy is your loss of Dick. He was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
~ Martin Group
1515 North Sanborn Blvd., Mitchell, SD 57301 (6/15/2004)
We extend to you and yours our sympathies. Our prayers are with you at this time and always. God will take care of you! Dick will be missed by so many people. We are including a paragraph entitled, "The True Gentleman" which was written by John Walter Wayland. The True Gentleman is the man whose conduct proceeds from good will and an acute sense of propriety, and whose self-control is equal to all emergencies; who does not make the poor man conscious of his poverty, the obscure man of his obscurity, or any man of his inferiority or deformity; who is himself humbled if necessity compels him to humble another; who does not flatter wealth, cringe before power, or boast of his own possessions or achievements; who speaks with frankness but always with sincerity and smypathy; whose deed follows his word, who thinks of the rights and feelings of others, rather than his own; and who appears well in any company, a man with whom honor is sacred and virtue safe. To us, this was Dick!
~ Roger & Janet Hurlbert
Clark, SD (6/15/2004)
My sympathy to the family, I did not know Dick but have heard many good things about him. May God be with you all
~ Betty Bryan
Rapid City, SD (6/15/2004)
Patty and Family, the Farm Bureau family is grieving with you. We have all lost a very dear friend, member of our FB family and leader. I personally have enjoyed working with Dick over the years and have considered it a true honor to have known him. I have many fond memories of my times with Dick. He is a truly caring, kind and generous man. He was well loved by everyone who came to know him. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you now and always.
~ Stephen M. Morain
5400 University Ave., West Des Moines, IA 50266 (6/15/2004)
We are so sorry to hear of Dick's passing. Such humility we rarely see anywhere. Dick's positive influence and gentlemanly ways touched people from all walks of life. God's blessing on your family.
~ Marty & Doe Heathershaw
Cathedral City, CA (6/15/2004)
I am sorry to hear about your loss. May the Lord Be With You at this time and always. I can always remember the time when I went to Farm Bureau Camp in Spearfish. Dick had me introduce a speaker that was going to speak at one particular session. He made me feel special. He was always a very wonderful person. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Fawna Geigle
~ Fawna Geigle
1605 South Jefferson, Enid, OK 73701 (6/15/2004)
Patty and family, Our hearts go out to your family. You have our deepest sympathy. Our prayers are with you in this time of difficulty. Dick was a wonderful friend, so warm and caring. He will be deeply missed in his roles in Farm Bureau. We are blessed to have known him. We are glad that we had the opportunity of seeing him just such a short time ago and for all of your families hospitality during a stressful time. Our love, Steve and Dianne
~ Steve & Dianne Appel
13501 Union Flat Creek Rd., Endicott, WA 99125 (6/15/2004)
We pray for God's love and strength to sustain you during this time of loss. Dick will be missed by so many people in so many ways. We consider it a privilege to have known him and benefited from his leadership and kindness.
~ Wayne & Jane Smith
Pipestone, MN (6/15/2004)
Dick was a great friend, inspiration, and mentor for me. I admired him greatly and will miss him deeply. Due to distance, I will not be at the funeral but I will be with Patti and the family in my prayers.
~ Keith DeHaan
609 NE 95th St., Kansas City, MO 64155 (6/15/2004)
So sorry to hear about Dick. He will be missed by all. Our prayers are with you.
~ Kenneth and Aletha Wood
1901 Plum Ck. Parkway. #14, Lexington, NE 68850 (6/15/2004)
We were blessed to have the opportunity to visit with your family this past week while in S.D. Patty we were saddened to learn of your loss and will continue to keep your family in our prayers. May God keep you in his tender care.You will always be a part of the Farm Bureau Family. Alabama Farm Bureau Board of Director, Staff and Members
~ Alabama Farm Bureau / Jerry Parham
4250 AL Hwy 157 NE, Cullman, AL 35058 (6/15/2004)
Some of my fondest memories were going to "Dick & Jerrys". Lyle and Dick would always be a team against Jerry and myself. Jerry was the oldest and I was the youngest. Unfortunately, I think I held our team back so that Dick and Lyle won what ever we were playing that day. Thank you Jerry for being my partner. Anyone remember Anti-Anti-I-Over?
We were founding members of the Riding Ranchers 4-H Club, as Elnoris & Ila were promoting youth education even back then. Heredity explains a lot sometimes...
Dick was my "best friend". I know he was because I asked him if he would be once and he said he would! I know he was because he always treated me like a "best friend" would like to be treated. Fortunately, Dick had a host of "best friends"! He treated them all as such and they reacted to him the same way. I know it is hard to loose a Dad, Brother, Husband, member of the family but it is equally hard to loose a "BEST FRIEND"!
Denny Carmichael
~ Denny Carmichael
3320 Pine Ave., Brookings, SD 57006 (6/15/2004)
I have been with Farm Bureau in West Des Moines for 26 years and feel privileged to have known Dick. He always had a kind word and a smile. Dick will be missed but the memories we'll keep forever. My sincere sympathy to the many who loved him.
~ Brenda Schuring
3806 Greenview Dr., Urbandale, IA 50322 (6/15/2004)
My thoughts and prayers are with you in this time of sorrow. May God hold you close to His heart and grant you comfort.
~ Marcee Ekstrum
Sioux Falls, SD (6/15/2004)
Please know I am thinking of all of you. Dick was an inspiration to us all. I will fondly remember him as a caring and generous man. The great memories I had as a young Riding Ranchers 4-H member will always include Dick. He never failed to make all of us feel like we were important and encouraged us to try new things. I was so nervous the first time I gave a deomonstration for the club, but Dick made me feel like I had just delivered the most interesting and important speech! It was about cooking carrots...can't imagine that the material was too gripping! I'll never forget my brother Bruce and I riding our saddle ponies from our place to yours for a 4-H meeting. I had never ridden as much as the others in the club and I'm sure I demonstrated my inabilities quite obviously, but Dick made me feel like I had won a silver buckle just by arriving intact with my horse! Please know that all of us mourn with you and will keep you in our prayers. He is with all of us, always.
~ Marjean (Votroubek) Huber
PO Box 391, Bison, SD 57620 (6/15/2004)
I have never met a man that was as kind and thoughtful as Dick. It has been my distinct pleasure and honor to work with him over the past several years. FBL has lost a true friend and dedicated leader with his passing.
My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
~ Jim Noyce
905 48th Street, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265 (6/15/2004)
Our deepest sympathies. Dick will be greatly missed.
~ Scott & Carla (Peterson) Ochsner
Tea, SD (6/15/2004)
Patty and family, You have my deepest sympathies. Dick was a kind and gentle statesman and I will miss him very much as I know you all will. I have so many fond memories of our times together through Farm Bureau. Maybe my favorite was a day I spent with him fishing in Canada. It was sunny and warm and the fishing and companionship was incredible. He has made an impression on so many people. You all should be very proud of his accomplishments and the way he lead his life.
~ Jim Brannen
3329 Waterbery Circle, Waukee, Iowa 50263 (6/15/2004)
Patty and boys....my sympathy to you. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
~ Lori Ekstrum
Sioux Falls, SD (6/15/2004)
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~ Rae Crowser
Philip, SD (6/15/2004)
Deepest sympathies for the passing of a kind and generous man. His wisdom, wit and pleasant smile will be missed.
~ Alex P. Dowse, President - Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation
100 N. Main St., Sherborn, MA 01770 (6/15/2004)
Dick was always most generous with his compliments and expressions of appreciation when something was done for him. For that reason, he stood tall in the eyes of those of us who serve as Farm Bureau staff. I've said this to others, "If I couldn't have raised my own children, I would want them raised by people like Dick and Patty." I am a better person for having known him!
~ Herb Manig
2838 27th St. SW, Fargo, ND 58103 (6/15/2004)
Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time. We will remember you in our hearts and our prayers. Dick was truly a very special person who warmed the hearts of those he associated. He was a true asset to Farm Bureau and we're thankful to the family for sharing his time with us. God bless you at this time and always.
~ Brenda & Paul Montgomery
2100 NW 144th Street, Clive, Iowa (6/15/2004)
Sandra and I will remember you in our thoughts and prayers. Dick was a great patriarch for American agriculture and he will be sorely missed in our Farm Bureau organization. In God's Love, David and Sandra Waide
~ David & Sandra Waide
P.O. Box 1972, Jackson, Mississippi 39215 (6/15/2004)
WE are so very sorry for your loss. We love you.
I cannot express how sorry we are for your loss. Our hearts are with you.
We love you.
Tom & Barb Westover
~ Barb Westover
Egan, SD (6/15/2004)
He was a wonderfrul man and a great inspiration.
Greg Oleson
~ Greg Oleson
1424 Forest Hills Drive (6/15/2004)
We are so sorry to hear of our great loss. Your family has always been very dear to the Carmichael family and we share your pain.It feels as though we have lost a brother. If there is anything we can do let us know.
We love you all.
Tom,Kamie Abbie and Emily
~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael
Rapid City, SD (6/15/2004)