In Memory Of

Earl R. "Rick" WilmarthMay 7, 1946 - April 2, 2015

In Memory Of

Earl "Rick" WilmarthKadoka, South Dakota

May 7, 1946 - April 2, 2015

FUNERAL SERVICESMonday, April 6, 2015 - 10:30 am

Presbyterian ChurchKadoka, South Dakota

CLERGYPastor Gary McCubbin

MUSICJoAnne Stilwell - Organist

Colby & Teresa Shuck - Vocalists"The Old Rugged Cross"

"In The Garden"Dave Ohrtman - Vocalist

"O' Danny Boy""Going Home"

USHERSRyan Richardson -John Madsen

PALLBEARERSDavid Johnson - Brian Fromm

Jim Fugate - Rich BendtTim Huffman - Paul Briggs

FIRE TRUCK DRIVERSPatrick Solon -Brad Stone

Jim Antonsen -John Madsen

HONORARY PALLBEARERSAll Firemen in Attendance

INTERMENTKadoka Cemetery - Kadoka, South Dakota

Earl R. “Rick” Wilmarth was born May 7, 1946, in Louisville, Kentucky, the son of Earl J. and Alice Paxton (Bean) Wilmarth. At the age of three he moved with his parents to Kadoka where he received his education. He graduated from Kadoka High School in 1964. He then attended General Beadle at Madison, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business. He remained in Madison and continued his education, receiving a Bachelor of Science in Education from Dakota State in 1970.

After graduation, he moved back to Kadoka where he worked as a bulk fuel driver. On May 24, 1974, he was united in marriage to Paulette Hemmingson in Kadoka. They made their home in Kadoka, where Rick continued to work.

He joined the Kadoka Volunteer Fire Department in 1963, and was still a member today. He held every office in the Fire Department over the past 52 years. He was also a 20 year member of the Kadoka Ambulance Service. Due to health reasons, Rick retired from his job on December 31, 2000.

Rick was known as the “bean man” during the reunion weekends, always making the baked beans for the celebration. Rick was a long time football referee, from 1981 to 1993, ending his football career in the Dakota Dome in 1993. He also officiated basketball and softball for over 20 years. During track season, he was a timer for all Kadoka and region track meets. Rick was a loyal supporter of Kougar athletics, and was easy to pick out of the crowd.

Rick was an avid Dodgers fan, enjoyed hunting geese and pheasants, and fishing. He loved to cook pancakes, (and flip them high) for the grandkids, and took great pride in his yard and garden.

Survivors include his wife Paulette of Kadoka; one daughter Lori Konst (Jeff) of Philip; two sons Cody Wilmarth (Betsy) of Colton, and Eric Wilmarth of Kadoka; five grandchildren Jade Konst of Kennebec, Kayla Wilmarth of Sioux Falls, Kylee Wilmarth of Sioux Falls, Jaslyn Konst of Philip, and Samantha Wilmarth of Colton; a brother Kenny Wilmarth (Cindy) of Kadoka; a sister Lib Thomas (Mike) of Aiken, South Carolina; his father-in-law and mother-in-law Andy and Mary Jane Hemmingson of Kadoka; a brother-in-law Ronnie Hemmingson (Nancy) of Eureka; four nieces; one nephew; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Rick was preceded in death by his parents; and a niece Terri Wilmarth.