Rickey Ray Hurd, 70, of rural Wagner, S.D., passed away on Oct. 8, 2025, from complications of sepsis at Nebraska Medicine in Omaha, Neb., surrounded by loving family.
Rick was born on Feb. 25, 1955, in Cherokee to William G. and Marilyn Jacquitti (Anderson) Hurd.
As a freshman in high school in 1970, Rick experienced a sports-related blood clot on his spinal cord that left him paralyzed. He spent several months in the hospital and in rehabilitation, facing the long recovery with determination, humor and the strength that would define his life.
Rick graduated from Cleghorn High School in 1972, then went on to Iowa Lakes Community College, earning an associate agronomy degree in 1974. After college, he worked at the Cleghorn and Meriden grain elevators, eventually rising to management positions.
Rick met his future wife, Mary (Monfore) Hurd, when she worked for Land O'Lakes, writing newsletters for farm cooperatives. One of their first dates was on Mary's birthday, in Cherokee — a night made both funny and sweet by the fact that Rick's parents joined them, complete with a chocolate cake baked by his mother, Jackie.
Their first "big date" came in August 1982, at a regional cooperative convention in Omaha, where both of their companies were in attendance. Rick asked Mary if he could ride along with her in her company car. He had only one ticket to a John Denver concert that weekend and gave it to Mary so she could use her "fancy" camera to take photos. Though he gave up his seat, fate rewarded him with a chance meeting with John Denver in the hotel elevator later that night.
That Sunday, Mary drove them back to Iowa, stopping to buy an Omaha World-Herald when she filled up with gas. Rick read aloud from the various sections — Life, Politics, Religion and World News — and Mary always says that was the weekend she fell in love. They got engaged that fall, and Rick sang "You Took My Heart By Surprise" at their wedding on March 19, 1983, at Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Dante, S.D. Their daughter Elizabeth was born in 1985, and Sara in 1989, and Rick loved his girls with all his heart.
In July 1990, Rick and Mary moved from Iowa to South Dakota to manage the family farm — a lifelong dream of Rick's. He worked alongside his father-in-law, Robert Monfore, to make the farm fully accessible so that he could access and operate adapted equipment. Farming brought Rick tremendous fulfillment, allowing him to combine his love of the land with his knack for problem-solving and mechanical innovation.
In addition to farming, Rick began selling short-line farm equipment to dealers throughout the Midwest, often logging more than 80,000 miles a year. He built his business on honesty and relationships, always focused on helping farmers find practical solutions rather than selling them something they didn't need. Over the years, he represented Wetherell Manufacturing (Cleghorn), MDS Manufacturing (Parkston, S.D.), Koyker Manufacturing (Lennox, S.D.), Sioux Steel (Sioux Falls, S.D.), and Belltec Industries (Belton, Texas). For more than two decades, he and Mary also ran a freelance newsletter business serving farm equipment companies across the region.
Outside of work, Rick was passionate about NASCAR, faithfully watching every race weekend from February through November and attending several races in person. He even met Dale Earnhardt, shook his hand, and received an autographed #3 cap that he proudly displayed in his office. His favorite drivers over the years included Cale Yarborough, Dale Earnhardt, Kevin Harvick and Kyle Larson. Rick was also a devoted Notre Dame football fan, attending many games with his children and grandchildren, including Notre Dame's victory over Purdue on Sept. 20 — just 18 days before his passing.
Rick was blessed with a beautiful, rich singing voice and a lifelong love of music. He sang his first solo at age eight at Meriden Evangelical Free Church in Meriden and went on to sing for hundreds of weddings, funerals and community events throughout his life. He served as cantor at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Cherokee; Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church in Dante, S.D.; Saint Benedict Catholic Church in Yankton, S.D.; and Saint Vincent DePaul Catholic Church in Springfield, S.D. Rick also performed for many years in the Bon Homme Community Easter Cantata, a tradition that brought him great joy.
When Rick and Mary's two daughters were small, a wise neighbor lady stopped by to visit and told them, "The girls come first; the boys come later." This proved prophetic, as their two sons-in-law — Matt Edney and Brian Hammel — did indeed come later, and brought Rick a new level of fulfillment, as "the boys" became devoted husbands and fathers. He could not have loved them more had they been his own sons; he cherished every moment he had with them.
Rick will be remembered for his love of God's many gifts in his life, his positive outlook, his generosity and his pride in his family. His grandchildren will forever remember his laughter, his songs, their rides in his wheelchair and his signature gesture of squirting whipped cream into their mouths. Rick planned ahead when the grandkids were coming to visit — always stocking up with a few bags of chocolate Hostess Donettes, plenty of pancake mix and syrup, and some toy livestock and machinery from Bomgaar's. On more than one occasion Rick made larger "just for fun" purchases, such as a go-kart, a mini 4-wheeler, and even a real firetruck he bought at an auction. These were just a few of the countless ways he delighted in bringing happiness to others.
Remaining to cherish Rick's memory are Mary (Monfore) Hurd of rural Wagner, S.D.; children, Dr. Elizabeth (Matt) Edney of Omaha, Neb., and Sara (Brian) Hammel of Novato, Calif.; grandchildren: Emily, Joseph, Jack and Nicholas Edney and Claire, Catherine and Connor Hammel; mother Jackie Hurd of Cherokee; sisters, Nancy (Rich) Miller of Farwell, Texas, and Karen (John) Lundell of Dodgeville, Wis.; brothers, Bill (Terry) Hurd of Cleghorn and Mike (Suzanne) Hurd of Phoenix, Ariz.; and many nieces and nephews, cousins and dear friends and neighbors.
Preceding Rick in death are his father William George Hurd, and his in-laws, Colonel (Ret.) Robert Paul and Mary Jo Monfore.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Nov. 22, at 11 a.m. at Saint Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, 1203 Wood St., Springfield, S.D., followed by a potluck dinner at the church hall and a graveside ceremony at Saint Mary's Cemetery on the family farm 15 miles west of Springfield.
