Richard Papousek

Funeral services for Richard Papousek were held on Thursday, October 24, 2024, at 10:30 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Royal Archer officiating.

Music was provided by Bette Fogel, pianist. Katie Vissia shared memories, and Veronica Frasch was in charge of registration and flowers.

Casket bearers were Ben Grim, Shelly Grim Knittel, Avery Papousek, Karson Lindwurm, Brody Papousek, and Violet Paull. Honorary casket bearers were Natalie Papousek, Karson Papousek, Ivy Vissia, and Ike Vissia.

Burial was in the Czech National Cemetery in Gregory, SD. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Richard was born in Gregory on September 18, 1953, to Woodrow Papousek and Leola (Tagtow) Papousek. He grew up on a farm north of Dixon, SD, where he attended country school through the eighth grade, before completing high school in Gregory. He then attended Mitchell Technical Institute, earning his associate’s degree in construction. In 1972 he moved back to Gregory and began his business, Papousek Construction.

A craftsman, Richard moved, built, and renovated homes and businesses through the Gregory community area. Some of his accomplishments include moving the Dixon Townhall Theatre; restoring the Oscar Micheaux Center; creating the Micheaux garden; and renovating his antique store, Napers Emporium. A few of his recent projects included restoring a local church in Colome, as well as purchasing and reviving Colome’s Sign Inn.

He had a knack for seeing the deeper value and potential in things, turning junk into treasures. Nearly every project Richard touched included an element of ‘up-cycling’ with historical relevance that reflected his love and knowledge of the community. Richard was in the process of completing his final project: the renovation of his 1800’s log cabin which he moved to its current location in Cowboy Acres, including an addition which he crafted by hand.

A historian and story-teller, Richard also enjoyed traveling through the local area retracing his family heritage and preserving history through storytelling and writing. His tales of growing up north of Dixon could often be found published in the Burke newspaper under his column “History’s Attic.”

Even beyond of his prolific work and projects, Richard was most proud of his children, Nick (Omaha) and Katie (Rapid City), and his nine grandchildren. He curated incredible Christmas celebrations with amazing light displays, trees, and stacks of gifts wrapped in newspaper. He was always busy stuffing money into the pockets of his grandchildren and taking them into the cabin where they could find (and be offered to take home) trinkets he’d found at auctions.

Richard Papousek, age 71, of Gregory, SD, passed away on October 18, 2024, following a brief battle with leukemia.

Richard was preceded in death by his father Woodrow Papousek; mother Leola Papousek; sister Marcy Papousek; and granddaughter Ellowyn Vee Vissia.

He is survived by his children Nick (Jen) Papousek; Katie (Jacob) Vissia; special friend Paul Dansman; grandchildren Avery, Karson, Violet, Brody, Natalie, Kason, Ivy, and Ike; sister Veronica (Joe) Frasch; niece Shelly (Jeff) Knittel; nephew Ben Grim; great-niece Sydney Knittel; and great-nephew Jacob Knittel.