Rick Atkins, age 56, passed away in the early morning hours of Saturday, October 4, 2025, at Avantara Mountain View Skilled Nursing Facility in Rapid City, SD.
A memorial visitation was held Monday, October 13, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Following the visitation, loved ones gathered in Rick’s memory at Kelly’s Sports Lounge.
Also, a local Celebration of Life will be held from 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 25, at Bitton’s Roadhouse in Garvin.
Ricky Lee Edward Atkins was born to Wayne and Mina Atkins of Currie on June 19, 1969. He grew up in Tracy, Minnesota where he graduated high school.
Rick started working at Dairy Queen at the age of 14 and continued working at DQ after graduating from Mankato Technical Institute with a degree in Culinary Arts, up until his retirement.
In 1995 Rick was living in Rapid City, SD, when he met Lori Jansen who was also from Minnesota. After two years, they married at Trinity Lutheran Church in Rapid City, becoming a family with Lori’s son Josh.
In 1998, Ben was born and Chris followed in 2001. Family was Rick’s first priority. His work ethic made him a great provider for his wife and children. Even though he was a hard worker, Rick always found time for fun. He loved to entertain by having people over for cards or attending Atkins family trips where loudness and laughter were sure to be the outcome.
Whether he was shooting pool, hunting, golfing or driving his corvette through the Black Hills, Rick loved to be with his people. Rick will be truly missed by his family and many friends.
Rick is survived by his wife of 28 years, Lori, Daughterin- law Tina Kolden, his four grandchildren; Cailee, Chloe, Vanessa and Justin all of Pleasant Hill, MO; son Benjamyn (Cate) Atkins of Fairbanks, AK; son Christopher Atkins of Rapid City, SD: mother Mina Atkins of Tracy; sister Sherri Hupp of Mankato, MN; brother Jamie (Kim) Atkins of Cottage Grove, MN and many nieces and nephews.
Rick was preceded in death by his four grandparents, father Wayne Atkins of Walnut Grove and son Joshua Kolden of Pleasant Hill, MO.
A special thanks to those who supported and cared for Rick during his chronic illnesses.
