Dick Frantz, 87, of Winner, SD passed away on Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Center in Winner, SD.
Funeral service were held on Monday, Aug. 6, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. at the First Christian Church in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery. Dick was born on July 21, 1931 to Gerald & Lorraine (Nelson) Frantz. He grew up on the family ranch in Ideal, SD, 25 miles north of Winner. This is where he learned his strong work ethic. At a young age he learned to be a cowboy and accepted responsibility for running the ranch. Dick loved his horses, cattle, and the open range.
In 1949, Dick graduated from Winner High School. After high school, he attended Ag school in Colome, SD for 3 years. He joined the US Army in March of 1952. On June 12th, 1952 he married the love of his life Donna Lee Ambroz. They got married in Red Bank, New Jersey, where Dick was stationed. Dick spent 14 months overseas in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in March of 1954 with the Korean Service Medal with 3 bronze service stars, the U.N. Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Dick and Donna continued their life together and returned to the family ranch. To this union, 4 children were born; Doug, Dan, Deb, and Deone. Dick was a successful rancher and businessman. In 1961, he was chosen as the Outstanding Young Rancher and in 1965 the Local Jaycees selected him as the Outstanding Farmer. In 1966, he was awarded the Outstanding Young Man of America.
He was very active in the community, but what he was most proud of was his family. Dick was happiest in a room full of family and friends. As a people person, he would visit with anyone anywhere. He was a good story teller and loved a good joke. He was a man of exceptional generosity. Dick always made sure his family came first. Dick and Donna were the perfect example of what a marriage should be.
He met many lifelong friends working Fridays at the Winner Livestock Auction for 50 years. Dick served on the Winner School Board and Tripp County Rural Fire Department for 30 years each. He was on the 4-H horse committee for many years and for 26 years Dick was the trail boss for trail rides. He was a proud member of the Masonic Lodge in Winner for 64 years. Dick was a lifelong member of the VFW and the American Legion. As a Christian, he was a member of the Ideal Presbyterian church for 77 years and held many positions.
In 1997, he became an honorary member of the Sioux Tribe. They gave him the name Wamblee Oheteca. Which means “Brave Eagle.”
Grateful for having shared his life are his children; Doug Frantz (Connie), Dan Frantz (Patty), Deb Nelson (Terry), Deone Frantz (Shane). His grandchildren; Rich Frantz, ReAnn Frantz, Renae Kaiser (Clay), Brandon Frantz, Amanda Frantz, Danielle Frantz (Jamie), Jesse Frantz (Sara), Alyssa Welk (Brady), Tennille Miller (Mike), and Lexie Nedved, also numerous great-grandchildren. His brother Jack Frantz (Marlene), and sister-in-law Donna Hughes (Jon).
Awaiting him in Heaven is, his dear wife Donna, his parents, sister Della Bolton, brother Wesley Frantz, and sister-in-law Marian Bloom.
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