Richard Rauk

To view a recording of Rick's funeral service, please click the following link: View Funeral Webcast

RICHARD ALBERT RAUK was born on June 8, 1952 to Edward and Elizabeth (Keehr) Rauk in Valley Springs, South Dakota. He was raised in Beaver Creek and was baptized and confirmed at the First Presbyterian Church. Growing up, he was a part of all of the small town activities – riding bicycle, playing catch and pickup games on the ballfield. In school, he participated in wrestling. For work, he helped at the family store, Rauk’s. During his teenage years, he worked for the Vanderburg family as a farmhand. Rick graduated from Hills-Beaver Creek High School in 1971. He then went to work for a time at Gale Tower Construction and then at the Sioux Falls Stockyards. While living in Sioux Falls, Rick met the love of his life, Mary Hansen. On April 27, 1974, the couple was married at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, Minnesota. A short time later, the couple moved to Beaver Creek and began their life together. Rick spent the majority of his working career at two places, Farmland Industries until its closing and later, Gold ‘n Plump until its closing. In December 2018, Richard formally retired. A short time later, he began having health concerns. Following love and great care from doctors and his family, on Thursday, May 13, 2021, Rick died peacefully surrounded by his family at his home at the age of 68 years, eleven months and five days.

Rick was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Beaver Creek where he served as a trustee. He was a member of the local Cemetery Board and the Sportmen’s Club. He was a volunteer firefighter with the Beaver Creek Fire Department. For 35 years, Rick was one of the first men on the scene when a fire call came in to Beaver Creek. He was dedicated to the job and loved fighting fires with his team. Lawn care was one of Rick’s passions – he loved to mow and take care of yards. He enjoyed gardening and flowers, Christmas decorations, bowling, camping and sitting around the fire pit with family and friends. He especially loved to watch his boys participate in sports and later in life was his granddaughters’ biggest fan. If you knew Rick, he probably had a nickname for you. He always had a smile on his face and found the joy in life.

Rick is lovingly remembered by his wife, Mary of Beaver Creek; sons, Jason Rauk and Chad (Tami) Rauk, all of Beaver Creek; grandchildren, Taryn, Brynn and Jordyn Rauk; siblings, Ron (Marlys) Rauk of Beaver Creek, Mareda (Keith) Bertelson of Sioux Falls and Roxie Rauk of Sioux Falls. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife’s parents, Lester and Dorothy Hansen; sister-in-law, Debra Magnuson; and his brother-in-law, Dale “Ole” Hansen.

Memorials are preferred to Beaver Creek Fire Department, Beaver Creek Cemetery Fund or Sanford Luverne Hospice.