Clinton "Dick" Wells
Clinton "Dick" Richard Wells, age 83, of Sioux Falls, passed away Monday, December 8, 2025, at the Sioux Falls VA Hospice Cottage, surrounded by his family. His Funeral Service will be held at 1:00 PM, Tuesday, December 16, 2025, at the First United Methodist Church, Sioux Falls. Interment will be in the Hills of Rest Cemetery. Visitation with family present will be from 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Monday, December 15, 2025, at the George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory. Please wear your favorite Chicago Bears gear.
Dick was born in Sioux Falls to his parents, Ray and Molly Wells, and grew up on the north side of town on West 9th Street.
He graduated from Washington High School in 1960, then started working at John Morrell‘s. He worked there for 27 years, leaving after the 1987 strike. He then worked for the Augustana grounds crew for 19 years.
He was drafted into the army in 1964 and trained at Fort Leonardwood, Missouri. He was sent to Vietnam and stationed in Qui Nhon for nine months with the 58th Transportation Company.
After serving his country in the war, he continued in the Army Reserves for over 20 years. During this time, he was named Soldier of the Year and retired as an E7.
During his training at Fort Leonardwood, he became pen pals with Diana Ritzman, in Sioux Falls, whom he would later marry upon his return from Vietnam.
Dick was a member of the American Legion and a lifetime member of VFW Post 628. He was Commander for two years in the Brandon Post. He was also a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA).
Dick and Diana married on July 9, 1966, at the First United Methodist Church. During their 59 1/2-year marriage, they were blessed with three children, Eric, Amanda, and Rodney.
Throughout the years, Dick coached teener baseball, boys’ softball, and boys and girls’ Y-basketball, winning several state and national tournaments.
Dick was an avid sports fan, even of golf. He enjoyed pro wrestling, football, and races. He served on the chain gang for 19 years at Augustana College, O’Gorman High School, and the city high schools. There wasn’t a game that he wasn’t interested in watching. His favorites were the Chicago Bears, the Oakland A’s, and the Boston Celtics.
Dick was a collector of many things, starting with rocks and gems (a rock hound). Sports memorabilia and many other collectibles soon followed.
He enjoyed watching and supporting his grandkids and great-grandkids in many activities.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Diana; son Eric (Michelle); daughter Amanda Reisner; grandchildren Shandi, Christine (Wells), Eli, Garrett, Deacon (Reisner), and great-grandkids Favian, Jonah (Wells), Alesa (Steele), Omri (Wells), and Dallas (Zimmer); brothers-in-law Marlin (Helen) Ritzman, Stan Ritzman; sisters-in-law Betty (Darrel) Lilyquist, Debra (Tim) McTague, and Patti Pedersen; and cousins Don (JJ) Helbrerg and Pam (Tom) Anderson.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Ray and Molly Wells, his son, Rodney, and son-in-law, Terry Reisner.