Beloved husband, father, brother, grandpa, uncle and friend, Orville Richard "Dick" Hudson, 83, passed from this life peacefully on August 27th at Belle Fourche Health Care Facility surrounded by his loving family. He fought a courageous battle with cancer.

Dick was born on September 10, 1930 to Orval and Marion Hudson in Alliance, Nebraska. He spent his early childhood in western Nebraska and the Black Hills. Dick met the love of his life LaNelle when he transferred to Bingham to attend school. Their first "date" was when he and her brother Jake planned to go to the movies. When LaNelle walked into the room, Dick asked her to join them. Without hesitation, she jumped into the front seat next to him and never left his side for 62 years. With honor, pride and a lot of hard work, they raised four wonderful children.

He served with honor in the Army during the Korean Conflict on the front lines and earned several medals, including the Rifleman's Combat Badge. Returning from military service, he went to trade school in Milford to be a machinist. He worked for the CBNQ Railroad as a section foreman and was assigned to the Black Hills for summer maintenance work. He fell in love with the area and was determined to make his life there. He and LaNelle bought the Sinclair Service Station and Hotel in Blacktail; they pulled up their Nebraska stakes and moved to the Hills. His career included mining at Homestake Gold Mine, maintenance at the Deadwood hospital, owner of a logging business working side by side with his son Roger and brother Bill, and a mechanic at Mutchler's Custom Machine shop. In retirement he found joy helping Joe and Lori at their ranch and with the oil field service company.

He could fix anything and loved teaching his son and grandsons those same skills. Dick was a brilliant mechanic. He demonstrated those skills when he rebuilt a 56 Chevy with his son and a 66 VW bug for his daughter.

Dick found joy in every aspect of life and most importantly spending time with his children and their families. His wife and children were always his priority. He worked hard and taught his children to do the same. As a young man he loved to fly fish on Castle Creek with his daughter Jeane tagging along helping to catch green grasshoppers. He enjoyed camping and boating at Angastora, Orman Dam and Pactola Lake, traveling to Alaska and family gatherings at their home in Maitland. Dick and his son Roger built their own pontoon boat and all his family spent many hours at Orman. He learned to water ski even though he was afraid of water and couldn't swim—just one example of his determination in life. His children were his pride and joy and each one brought a special gift to his and LaNelle's life.

His devotion to his wife as her health deteriorated was an inspiration to everyone who came into their lives. He never left her side and gave life to their wedding vows "though sickness and health, until death do us part". The staff at the nursing home told of their devotion and witness as a true love story.

Grandpa loved spending time with his grandkids and especially having Bailee and Makenna and daughter Lisa as "roommates" after he moved to Belle Fourche to be close to his wife when she entered the Belle Fourche Healthcare Center.

Dick will be incredibly missed by his loving wife of 62 years, LaNelle, their children; Jeane (John) Hull and children Chuck; Roger (RoAnne) Hudson and children Amy, Richard, Robert and Ryan; Lisa (Jack) Ward and children Bailee and Makenna; Lori (Joe) Fortner and children Spencer, Kaitlin and Karli; great-grandchildren, Lexi, Saylah, Crew, Palmer, Allison, Emily, Micah, Carter, and Daniel as well as his brothers Bill, Arthur and Robert and his sisters Virginia, Gloria, Barbara, Mary Ann along with many nieces, nephews and cousins. Preceding him on his journey to heaven were his mother and father, Orval and Marion Hudson, his sister Glenda and baby brother Rodney.

The family extends their deepest gratitude to the staff at Belle Fourche Healthcare Center and Hospice of the Northern Hills. Your love, compassion and guidance in this final chapter of Dad's life has been so comforting and we thank you very much.

Visitation will be at 11:30-2:30 P.M. on Sunday, August 31, 2014 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Funeral services will be at 10:00 A.M. on Monday, September 1, 2014 at the funeral chapel. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established to Hospice of the Northern Hills.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com