PIERRE, SD – Reuben David Bezpaletz, 77, of Pierre, South Dakota passed away on Sunday, August 11, 2024 following a brief illness.

Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 23, 2024 at Isburg Funeral Chapel in Pierre, South Dakota.

Reuben was born, the first of five children, in Huron, South Dakota, the son of Reuben Arnold Bezpaletz and Doris Isabelle Taylor Bezpaletz. The family made their home in Woonsocket, South Dakota.

Reuben graduated from Woonsocket High School, valedictorian of his class, in 1965. He entered college on a ROTC scholarship the fall of 1965 at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, graduating cum laude in 1969. While at USD, he was an active member of the rodeo team competing in saddle bronc and bull riding. He was appointed a Reserve Commissioned Army Officer upon graduation, being honorably discharged at the rank of Captain.

He entered law school fall of 1969 receiving his degree in 1971.

He married Joan England in May of 1972.

Reuben began his career with Legislative Research Council in the State Capitol Building in Pierre in 1972 as chief of research, a job he held until his retirement in 2014.

He married Teresa (Teri) L. Harding Retrum on April 3, 2014. Reuben and Teri loved each other very much and had many good times traveling, exploring, learning and pursuing their desires to learn even more. Reuben was very special to Teri’s children, Travis Welles, Zachary Retrum and Sara Retrum Nehl, and their children Olivia, Mason, Emma, Trevor and Bella. He spent time with them teaching and playing chess, hiking, feeding millet to the chickens, taking day trips, going to rodeos and loving them.

Reuben had many life-long interests and pursued them with a passion. Some of those included reading, visiting used book stores, traveling, playing tennis, archery, cuisine from many cultures, but especially German, playing chess, a love for the outdoors including all things nature related- animals, plants, trees, rocks, shells, birds and even weeds.

He was a collector of books, rocks, shells, fossils, seeds, willow branches, coins, stamps, chess sets and so much more. The wild boar was his favorite animal and he amassed quite a collection of figurines of that animal.

He took pride in his work and proved his work ethic and diligence throughout his lifetime, beginning as a very young boy. He shared his wisdom, knowledge and wise counsel with countless others; co-workers, family, friends and clients alike.

Reuben did not have children, but his niece Callie Bezpaletz and nephews Elijah Bezpaletz, Nate Bezpaletz and Gabe Bezpaletz were very special to him as were his grand-niece Lily and grand-nephew Levi.

He is survived by his wife Teri and her children and grandchildren, siblings Ellen, Sally and Grant and their families, and many aunts, uncles, nieces,

nephews, cousins and their families.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother Greg Bezpaletz.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of Isburg Funeral Chapel of Pierre.

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