Edgar A. “Dick” Kellem

    Edgar A. “Dick” Kellem, age 77, of Belle Fourche, passed away on October 5, 2016 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
    Dick was born on December 15, 1938 in Wall, S.D., to Herbert and Bertha Kellem. He broke horses and worked at the Wall Sale Barn while attending high school.
    He married Dixie Henderson on July 6, 1957 and later divorced in 1965. He married Carole Werre on January 11, 1970. They rented a place in Rapid Valley where he continued to stand stallions, train and run race horses and raise colts. They purchased a ranch at Newell, S.D., in 1976 where he focused on expanding their mare herd and stallion service rather than training. In 1988, they purchased their place near Spearfish where they have lived ever since.
    Dick was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association, American Paint Horse Association and the Jockey Club.
    He has been battling heart problems since 1980, Myasthenia Gravis and had two major abdominal surgeries this year.
    He started raising and racing Quarter Horses in the beginning, then moved into thoroughbreds, and then Paints. His last accomplishment was owning one-half interest in a two year old paint gelding (Paleface Cartel) with Casey Humphrey, who was the APHA 2015 World Champion Regular Registry Paint gelding.
    Besides his horses, he enjoyed all animals, even a pot bellied pig who wandered onto the place and stayed for years.
    One of his favorite sayings was “I wouldn’t take a million dollars for all I’ve done but I wouldn’t do it all over again for a million dollars!”
    Dick is survived by his wife, Carole of nearly 47 years; nieces, Lori Hodgin and son, Greg Hodgin, Kathy and Ken Campbell and son, Michael and their grandson, Treyton (who have been such a special blessing to him for helping him complete projects that he wanted to do this summer)’ sister-in-law, Marsie and Dick Saul; nephews, David and Boyd Saul, Les, Bob and Kelly Kellem, Clint, Kevin, Tim and Doug Bourne, Gary Sebade; nieces, Carol Barrett, Sherrie Rinker and Kim Horsley and their respective families.
    He was preceded in death by his father Herbert, and mother Bertha, and all his siblings, Wanda Rich, Marvel Sebade, Don, Verel and Dallas and Lois Fiedler, and several nieces and nephews.
    A special thank you to his doctor, Deborah Kullerd and home healthcare workers, Leah and Robert and neighbor, Dick Crane who helped when needed.
    Memorial services were held Tuesday, October 11, 2016 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.
    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