Lawmakers remember colleagues who died in 2025

Departed included veterans, farmers, clergy and others as families honored in memorial

PIERRE — South Dakota’s lawmakers came together Thursday to remember 14 former legislators who died in 2025.

The 14 ranged in age from 58 – former Sioux Falls Pastor Steve Hickey – to 101 in former World War II veteran and House Speaker Charles Droz.

The memorial service started with a prayer by Sen. Carl Perry. The Aberdeen Republican thanked them for their lives and their service to the state.

Rep. Mike Stevens said the departed lawmakers had different backgrounds and expertise. But they all came together for a single purpose.

“That is, to serve the state of South Dakota,” Stevens said.

The Yankton Republican also praised the sacrifice made by families. Lawmakers spend a lot of time away from home, and that would not be possible without the understanding and support of families.

“We can never make up that time to our families, no matter how hard we try,” Stevens said. “And we do try.”

The lawmakers gave a standing ovation to the family members who attended the memorial.

Stevens read the names of each, saying, “well done good and faithful servant.” When he got to the name of Richard Vasgaard, who was in the Legislature when he died in a farming accident last summer, Stevens choked up briefly.

The deceased lawmakers remembered were:

Michael “Mike” Diedrich, 8/10/1954-7/12/2025
Diedrich served in the Senate from 1987 to 1990; 1993 to 1994; 2021 to 2024.
He served in the House from 2018 to 2020.
Pennington County

Charles Droz, 7/8/1924-7/20/2025
Droz served in the House from 1957 to 1969.
Buffalo, Hand and Hyde Counties

Robert “Bob” Haskell, 2/4/1934-11/3/2025
Haskell was a state senator from 1991to 1992.
Pennington County

Steve Hickey, 6/4/1967-6/27/2025
Hickey was a representative from 2011 to 2015.
Minnehaha County

Eldon S. Jensen, 12/9/1942-6/6/2025
Jensen was in the Senate from 1977 to 1980.
Butte, Harding, Perkins and Corson Counties

Leland Kleinsasser, 11/12/1934-8/4/2025
Kleinsasser was in the House from 1979 to 1980.
He then served in the Senate from 1981 to 1988.
Beadle County

Royal “Mac” McCracken, 11/16/1941-6/6/2025
McCracken was in the Senate from 2001 to 2008.
Pennington County

John R. McIntyre, 6/29/1931-8/19/2025
McIntyre started in the House from 1999 to 2000.
He served in the Senate from 2001 to 2002.
Minnehaha County

Lyle Mensch, 6/7/1942-5/24/2025
Mensch was a state representative from 1973 to 1976.
Bon Homme, Charles Mix and Douglas Counties

Lyndell Petersen, 7/4/1931-6/10/2025
Petersen was in the Senate from 1977 to 1994.
Pennington County

Louis A. “Lou” Sebert, 12/17/1935-7/27/2025
Sebert served in the House from 1999 to 2006.
Davison County

Orville B. “Orv” Smidt, 6/7/1943-12/23/2025
Smidt was a representative from 1997 to 2004.
He served in the Senate from 2005 to 2008.
Brookings County

Karen Soli, 7/15/1948-9/6/2025
Solie was in the House from 2013 to 2018.
Minnehaha County

Richard Vasgaard, 3/18/1950-8/27/2025
Vasgaard was in the House from 2021-2022 and again in 2025.
Clay and Turner Counties

Senate President Pro Tempore Chris Karr delivered the closing remarks. He said the memorial service was one of the rare moments where they could stop and reflect on the work that generations of lawmakers had done before them.

“The legislators we honor today came from across South Dakota from many different walks of life,” noting the departed included farmers, business owners, veterans and others.

The Pierre-area choir Surprise Package provided music, singing “The Lord is my Shepherd” and “Fairest Lord Jesus.” Sioux Falls Democratic Rep. Erin Healy gave the prayer of reflection, and Rapid City Republican Rep. Tony Randolph delivered the benediction.

The families were invited to a reception following the service.