Richard Marvin Geske

June 5, 1941-July 11, 2024

SIOUX FALLS, SD–Richard Marvin Geske, 83, passed away on Thursday, July 11, 2024, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

Richard was born on June 5, 1941, in Marshall, Minnesota, to Marvin and Irene (Schultz) Geske. He was the second eldest of twelve children. Due to birth complications, Richard was baptized in the hospital on the day of his birth and later had a baptismal dedication at Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota. He was confirmed at Christ Lutheran in 1955 and graduated from Lynd Public Schools as Salutatorian of his high school class in 1959.

Following a year in construction, Richard enlisted in the United States Navy in April 1960 and served as an electrician on the submarines Balao and Tullibee. He also attended Nuclear Power School in Groton, Connecticut. After an honorable discharge in July 1966, Richard worked as a test electrician at the Electric Boat shipyard and later at Dor-Win Company in Groton, Connecticut. In 1974, he founded Geske Home Improvement in Marshall, MN, where he worked until retirement.

In 1963, Richard married for the first time, ending in divorce in 1992. He married Karen (née Lober) Ling on August 2, 1997, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Marshall, Minnesota.

Richard was surrounded by love and support from his family. He is survived by his wife, Karen; children, Tom (Susan) Geske of Marshall, MN and Winnie Barber (Bill Bornitz) of Marshall, MN; three step-children, Brenda (Bill) Dunlap of Davie, FL, Shari (Duane) Carter of Weston, FL, and Ryan (Chrissy) Ling of Sioux Falls; five grandchildren, nine step-grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and one step-great-grandchild; and his siblings, Ina Geske, Wayne Geske, Naomi (Robert) Polzin, Patrick (Janice) Geske, Ronald (Claire) Geske, Cynthia (Robert) Steinbeisser, Glenn Geske, and Nelia Gary. He was also cherished by his brother-in-law, G. Eldon (Donna Rae) Lober, and sister-in-law, Donna Mae Lober.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Irene Geske; brothers, Lyle Geske and Dale Geske; sister, Esther Schmidt; and brothers-in-law, Doug Schmidt and Dennis Gary.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., with family present to greet friends beginning at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2024, at Miller Funeral Home–Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD. Military Honors will be performed following the memorial service. Inurnment will be at Prairie Hills Cemetery in Fulda, Minnesota.

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