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Submitted: 9/22/24 • Approved: 9/24/24 • Last Updated: 9/27/24 • R276208-G276208-S3
Richard Wayne Sabers
February 12, 1938 - January 12, 2022
Richard (Dick) Wayne Sabers was born in Salem, South Dakota, on February 12, 1938. Dick passed away on January 12, 2022, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at the age of 83. He was one of nine siblings born to Emil and Elrena (Godfrey) Sabers. He graduated from Salem St. Mary’s High School in 1956 and enrolled at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. At St. John’s, he played first base for, and served as captain of, the baseball team. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from St. John’s in 1960 and went on to serve as a First and Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Corps of Engineers, stationed primarily in Europe. Dick also served as a First Lieutenant and later as a Captain in the United States Army Reserve from 1963-69.
Following his service with the Corps of Engineers, Dick enrolled in law school at the University of South Dakota School of Law. He received his Juris Doctorate from the University in 1966. After law school, Dick entered private practice at the Sioux Falls law firm of Moore, Rasmussen, Sabers and Kading. He maintained a very active trial practice until March 1, 1986, when Governor Janklow appointed him to serve on the South Dakota Supreme Court.
Dick served on the Court for more than twenty years and was retained by the voters during the 1990, 1998, and 2006 general elections. He was one of the longest serving Justices in the Court’s history. He loved his work with the Court, and it was his honor to serve the State of South Dakota in that role. He retired on December 31, 2008. During his distinguished legal career, Justice Sabers was awarded the Fred Nichol Award for Outstanding Jurist in 2007 by the South Dakota Trial Lawyers Association, and the Marshall M. McKusick Award for Outstanding Member of the South Dakota State Bar Association in 2008.
Dick married Colleen (Kelley) Sabers in August of 1965. They were happily married for 33 years. Dick and Colleen had three children, Steven (Candace) of Minnetonka, Minnesota; Susan of Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and Michael (Cathy) of Rapid City, South Dakota, of whom they were incredibly proud. The family placed a significant value on education; that same education was one of the greatest gifts Dick and Colleen gave their children. Steven and Michael joined their father as graduates of St. John’s University, while Susan chose the rival school of University of St. Thomas. Dick watched his oldest attend Mayo Medical School and his two youngest attend the University of South Dakota School of Law. Steven practices medicine in the Twin Cities. Susan shared her father’s interest in the judicial branch and currently serves as a Circuit Court Judge in Sioux Falls. Michael is an attorney practicing in Rapid City. Dick was incredibly proud of his children’s accomplishments. His children produced six grandchildren: Connor and Annika Sabers; Quinn and Zachary Dunham; and Morgan and Emily Sabers, about whom Dick also loved to brag.
After Colleen’s untimely death in 1998, Dick was lucky enough to fall in love again. He married Ellie (Lammers) Schmitz in June of 2000. Ellie brought her three children to the family: Jason (Cindy) of Vermillion; Joseph (Marcia) of Sioux Falls; and Ann of Omaha, Nebraska, along with an additional six grandchildren. Dick and Ellie made their home in Sioux Falls and wintered in Arizona.
Dick had many wonderful friends and family with whom he remained close over the years. He took great pleasure in reading and traveling and was always ready to share stories of his adventures. He loved baseball, tennis, biking, woodcarving, O’Gorman football, and the Chicago Cubs. He spent summers at his cabin at Lake Madison with his family, friends, and favorite sailboat. He will be greatly missed by many, both personally and professionally.
The family wishes to thank the staff of Dougherty Hospice House for their compassionate care during Dick’s final days.
Arrangements have been made with Heritage Funeral Home with a funeral mass at Holy Spirit Catholic Church on Monday, January 17, 2022 at 11 a.m.with family present one hour prior for visitation. Dick's family invites you to join them for time for fellowship and lunch following Dick's funeral mass.
In lieu of flowers the family kindly asks that memorials be direct to The University of South Dakota School of Law Foundation or St. John's University.
In an effort to keep everyone safe the family kindly asks that you wear a mask.
Contributed on 9/22/24 by 9katz
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Record #: 276208