Richard Ludwig was born September 21, 1926 in rural Union County, SD to parents Ernest and Violet (Patrick) Ludwig. He died January 3, 2007 at the Morningside Care Center in Alcester, SD at the age of 80 years, 3 months and 12 days. Richard attended Petry rural school in Union County. He then began working on the family farm. He entered the United States Army in September of 1950 and was stationed in Austria where he served as a M.P. He was honorably discharged in September of 1952. Richard returned home and continued his lifelong career as a farmer. He married Adele Stene on January 28, 1959. The couple resided on a farm in rural Alcester until retiring in the mid 1990s. Adele died in July of 2002. Richard moved to Alcester in June of 2003 and became a resident of Morningside Care Center in August of 2004 and has resided there until the present time. Richard was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church where he was a lifelong member. He was also a member of the Alcester American Legion. Richard was a self-taught mechanic and enjoyed fixing anything that needed it. He also liked photography, hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Adele, two sisters, Ida Fickbohm and Florence Ludwig and brother Arthur Ludwig. He is survived by his two sons: Adrian Ludwig of Alcester, SD and Rhett Anderberg and wife Penny of Brandon, SD; brother Charles Ludwig and wife Corrine of Sioux Falls; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services will be held 2PM, Saturday, January 6 at Peace Lutheran Church in Alcester with burial at Peace Lutheran Cemetery, rural Alcester. Visitation will be Friday from 4PM to 7PM with family present from 4PM to 6PM at Wass Funeral Home in Alcester.