Richard “Dick” Schiley, 91, of Webster died Tuesday, Oct. 22 at Sanford Hospital, Webster.
Memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 30 at Christ the King Catholic Church, Webster. Burial will be at a later date.
Livestream video of Dick’s memorial service can be viewed on Coester Funeral Home Facebook page.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m. ending with a prayer service at the church on Tuesday, Oct. 29.
Dick Schiley was born in Bradley on April 8, 1933, to John and Mary (Baisch) Schiley. He grew up on the farm near Lily and graduated from Lily High School in 1951. Dick married Alberta Grosek in Webster on Nov. 20, 1954. To this union four children were born; John, Joan, Jeff and Jayne.
Although Dick’s life was filled with blessings, it also included challenges, most specifically dealing with the death of his father when Dick was 16 years old. This placed Dick into being responsible for the farm along with his mother, and helping to support his younger siblings. This challenge shaped Dick’s life, and with Alberta at his side, led him toward a life in farming. Over the years, with the support of their children, they grew the operation together, and have been immersed in it, throughout their lives. Dick had the unique perspective of having worked on the farm with a team of horses in his youth, to running large equipment in recent years.
In retirement Dick and Alberta moved to Webster, however he made regular visits to the farm when he could, and was kept up to date by regular calls from his grandson, Scott.
With their growing operation, there was always work to be done. Accordingly Dick and Alberta welcomed additional family members and others to their team.
While in high school, Lance Opitz came to live with them and help on the farm. Through this relationship, he effectively became part of the family and has continued a close relationship with the Schiley’s.
Dick enjoyed family, spending time with the grandkids in earlier years, and more recently with his great-grandchildren. He loved to share his stories with them, which he told, re-told, and then told again. Many of the grandchildren can probably repeat them word for word.
Through the years, Dick served in many capacities on local church, school, township and farm related boards. He served on the South Dakota Board of Towns and Townships for six years, including two as chairman. And he especially enjoyed his seventeen year tenure serving on the board of Interstate Telephone Cooperative.
Dick is survived by his wife, Alberta, and their children; John (Michelle) Schiley; Joan (Curt) Friedrichsen; Jeff (Deb) Schiley; and Jayne (Chuck) Ewalt. His family includes eleven grandchildren and eighteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his sisters, Helen Bugge, Marge Russell and Jean Heath, and his brother David Schiley.
Inurnment will take place at St Joseph’s Cemetery near Lily. Although his life had challenges, it included many blessings and rewards as well. All in all, “it was a good life!”
Coester Funeral Home, Webster. www.coesterfu neralhome.net.