Eugene "Rich" Dorsett

Eugene "Rich" Dorsett, 75, passed away peacefully on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am, Friday, April 10, 2026, at Word of Life Pentecostal Church (3513 N. 10th Ave., Sioux Falls). The family will greet friends for visitation from 6:00 - 8:00 pm, Thursday, April 9, 2026, also at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dougherty Hospice or Word of Life Pentecostal Church.

Rich was born on December 30th, 1950, in Milbank, South Dakota, to Richard and Jeanne Dorsett. His father passed away when he was 2. Then, at an early age, he moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where Howard and Jeanne Nelson raised their children. He helped raise his brothers and sisters growing up when he wasn’t doing science experiments and blowing things up. He attended Sioux Falls public schools and graduated from Lincoln High School. On June 19th, 1970, he married Sylvia Yesda. He would go on to graduate from ABI (Apostolic Bible Institute) with an associate's degree. He would also later earn a Bachelor's degree in Computer Programming.

Following ABI, Rich worked at Hassenstein Steel, John Morrell’s, and then at Citibank. He retired from Citibank after 28 years there in 2025. Rich and Sylvia raised three kids in Sioux Falls together. They celebrated 55 years of marriage in 2025.

He was a member of Word of Life Pentecostal church in Sioux Falls, where he taught Sunday School for more than 30 years. His Apostolic magic show is still remembered by a lot of church members, reminding them of how their sins can be washed away. He also helped in Sylvia’s daycare with patience and a mild demeanor to impact many children’s lives as they grew up.

He fought a courageous battle with cancer for ten years, uplifting others with his contagious smile and attitude, never focusing on his struggles or pain.

He enjoyed camping, hunting, growing vegetable gardens, and spending time with grandchildren. He always outworked everyone else, helping everyone with house projects or anything they needed help with.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Sylvia; son, Rich Dorsett (Krista), Sioux Falls, SD; daughters, Tammy Tietz, Sioux Falls, SD, Heidi Hicks (Chris), Durant, OK; 7 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; brothers, Jim Dorsett, Houston TX, Howard Nelson, Worthing, SD; and sisters, Darva Rye (Gary), Gillette, WY, Marcia Driscoll, Fulda, MN, Maria Graves (Wayne), Rapid City, SD. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard Dorsett, Howard and Jeanne Nelson; a brother, David Nelson; and a son in law, Paul Tietz.