Richard Lee Buller, 71, died Thursday, July 8, 2010 at his home in Elkton under hospice care. He was born July 3, 1939 to Lowell L. and Lillian (Heng) Buller north of Parker, SD at his grandparent's farm. Richard was baptized and confirmed at EUB Church in rural Parker. He attended school initially in Parker but part way through 1st grade he transferred to District #6 Country School. He attended the country school through the 8th grade and then graduated from Parker High School in 1957. Richard attended SDSU in Brookings for one year before joining his father to farm for one year. Richard moved to Storm Lake, IA to work on a farm in 1960. While there, his oldest son Brian was born. In 1962, they moved to Sioux Falls where he worked various jobs including working for a construction crew and a freight company. His daughter WaNita was born in 1964. They bought a farm by Humboldt, SD and at the same time Richard continued to work for the freight company. The farm was sold in 1969. Richard moved to St. James, MN after that and worked for Central Livestock. On December 31, 1969 he married Beverly Ann Ekstrom in Parker, SD. He then took a job with Tony Downs Foods as a sanitation supervisor. Their son Brett was born in 1970 and joined Beverly's two children, Diana and Jason. The family moved to Marshall shortly thereafter. While there, Richard worked for Marshall Egg Plant. Richard and Beverly purchased the Porter Locker Plant in 1976 and moved the family to Porter. They owned and operated the locker until 1988. Richard drove semi cross-country for 5 years before he and Beverly purchased the Elkton Locker in 1992. They owned and operated the Elkton Locker Plant until 2003 when they retired.

Richard is survived by his wife, Beverly, Elkton, 5 children, Brian (Maureen) Buller, Sioux Falls, WaNita (Gary) Melhbrech, Sioux Falls, Diana Fliss and friend, Pat Stanley, Canby, MN, Jason (Sarah) Hansen, Racine, MN, Brett Buller, North Branch, MN; 20 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; 5 brothers, Kenneth Buller, Parker, Robert (Inez) Buller, Sioux Falls, Keith Buller, Parker, David Buller, Parker, Dale Buller, Parker; 4 sisters, Mary (Les) Rensink, Freeman, Diane Grave, Harrisburg, Virginia (Tom) Henriksen, Sioux Falls, Elaine Tieszen, Sioux Falls and numerous nieces and nephews. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Lowell and Lillian; his brother, Glen; 2 sisters, Shirley Landon and Carol Smith; 1 brother-in-law, Harlan Smith and one great-grandson, Miles Fliss.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am Monday at United Parish of Elkton with burial in the Elkton City Cemetery. Visitation is from 2:00-4:00 pm Sunday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Elkton.