Richard "Dick" Allen Byrum, 76, Redfield, SD lost his battle with cancer on Wednesday, September 17, 2014.

Funeral Services will be Saturday, September 20, 2014 at 2 p.m. at Redfield Wesleyan Church.

Visitation will be at Thelen Funeral Home, on Friday from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. with family present from 5 pm to 7 pm.

Dick and Mary request memorials be sent to St. Jude's Children's Hospital or the Wounded Warrior Project.

Richard was born on September 6, 1938 to Stuart and Louise (Flansburg) Byrum in Onida, SD. In 1956, he graduated from Miller High School. He joined the Air Force in 1957 and was medically discharged in 1959.

He married Martha "Marty" Williams on July 9, 1960. To this union 5 children were born. He wore many hats throughout his life: husband, father, brother, uncle, carpenter, electrician, and welder. He helped in the construction of the Oahe Dam in Pierre, SD. He attended Central Technical Institute in Kansas City, MO. He worked for Nebraska Educational Television out of Merriman, NE until his retirement in 2000. While in Merriman, he was a volunteer fireman and EMT. Dick and Marty moved to Cottonwood Lake by Redfield, SD where he enjoyed epic 4th of July parties, many hours of fishing and hunting with his family and friends. He was a member of Redfield Wesleyan Church.

Richard is survived by his wife of 54 years, Marty; daughter, Dawn (Joe) McCall Ainsworth, NE, son, Brian (Tammy) Byrum Cozad, NE, son, Chris (Rose) Byrum Aberdeen, SD, daughter, Valerie (Fred) Hruska Fremont, NE, daughter, Holly (Donald) Landreth of Gordon, NE. Grandchildren: Amber, Cole, Tiffani, Kurtis, Adam, Taylor, Roy, Lindsay, Shaleen and one great grandchild Sheyenne. Brothers: Charles "Chuck" Byrum of Highmore, SD and Kenny (Fran) Byrum of Bend, OR. Nephews: Lonnie (Cathy) Bales and Mike (Donna) Byrum of Redfield, SD and too many other nephews, nieces and well LOVED family members to list.


He was preceded in death by his parents, brother James "Jim" and sister Gloria.


Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.