Richard “Rick” Bastemeyer

Richard (Rick) Bastemeyer, 67, of Lawrence, KS died Friday, July 12, 2024 .  Rick was born in March of 1957 in Wagner, SD to Melvern (Bee) and Norma Sue (Garberick) Bastemeyer, the sixth of ten children.

Rick married Karen Anderson in Lake Andes, SD in 1979.  They were blessed with three daughters, Michele Lea, who passed away in infancy, Tasha, (Patrick Davis) of Buena Vista, CO, and Hillary (Gary) McCowan of Topeka, KS.  He and Karen were blessed with seven grandchildren, Kaisen and Landri Davis, Gary, Lucas, Hayleigh, Laynee and Ellie McCowan.  They were the joy of his life.  Rick would let his grandkids do most anything-including letting them dye his signature beard in rainbow colors.

Before their marriage, Rick spent time in the Air Force.  Rick and Karen lived their early married life in Wagner, SD, then moved to Lawrence, KS to work with his brothers at Midstates Resurfacing, traveling much of the country for work.  He later started working for Hamms where he continued to work until he passed. While working there, he somehow earned the nickname, “Peanut”.

Rick is survived by his wife, Karen, his children, their seven grandchildren, sisters Sandy Fechner, Deb (Mike) Abdouch of Sioux Falls, SD, DeElla (Dick) Soukup of Wagner, SD, Carla (Mike) Grosshuesch of Springfield, SD, brothers, Mark (Paula) Bastemeyer and Craig Bastemeyer of Lawrence, brother-in-laws, Joe Groom and John Tuttle of Mitchell, SD.

Rick was preceded in death by his daughter, Michele, his parents, Bee and Sue Bastemeyer, parents-in-law, Norman and Jeannette Anderson, sisters Dana Groom and Paula Tuttle, brother, Dennis who passed away in infancy, brother-in-laws, Don Fechner, Neal Anderson and sister-in-law, Susan (Sam) Anderson.

There will be a celebration of life at Johnny’s Tavern in North Lawrence on Saturday, July 20 ^th from 1-4pm.  In memory of Rick, feel free to wear your bucket hats and plaid/flannel shirts.  A celebration of life in Wagner, SD to be scheduled at a later date.