Richard “Dick” Charles Groft, 80, of Redfield, SD, passed away peacefully on Monday, February 24, 2025, at the Redfield Community Memorial Hospital.
No formal services will be held, per Dick’s request.
Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.
Richard Charles Groft was born October 23, 1944, to Charles “Ray” and Eulalia (Rueschenberg) Groft. He attended country schools and later attended high school in Redfield when the family moved to Frankfort.
On November 30, 1963, he was united in marriage to Nila Wilkerson in Conde, SD. They made their home in Redfield with their two children, Charles and Marijo, and Dick worked at Fritz’s body shop until enlisting in the Army in 1966. He was stationed in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968 and was honorably discharged in 1969.
Upon his arrival home, Dick went back to work at Fritz’s until 1972, when he and Clifford Kleinsasser started the Redfield Body Shop. When Clifford retired, Dick bought out his share and continued to run the body shop until he fell ill in September 2024.
Dick is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nila; son, Charles Groft and his daughters Mackenzie and Erica Groft; daughter, Marijo (Neil) Jessen and their children Kailee, Nolan, Jayden, and Jordan; one sister, Patsy (Eddie) Haider; many nieces and nephews; and five “grand dogs” – all animals loved Dick!
He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Kathy Ratigan and Raeleen Heffernan.