Randy Klein

Funeral services for Randy Klein were held on Saturday, July 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Little League Baseball Field in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Russ Grim officiating.

Music was provided by Keeley and Kaydence Klein. Britany Reber and Kim Ekroth were in charge of registration, and Angela Pietz and Heather Fox were flower attendants.

Urn bearers were Derrick Pietz, David Presley, GW Ekroth, Ben Stukel, Brad Skalla, and Nick Reber. Honorary urn bearers were Sully Flats friends and softball and baseball players under Coach Randy. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Randy Joseph Klein was born on August 1, 1977, the first son of Joseph and Lynn (Ridgway) Klein, in Winner. Brothers Tony and Matt later joined him.

Randy attended all his school years in the Gregory school system, graduating from Gregory High School in 1995. He attended a short year of college at Lake Area Technical Institute before coming back to Gregory to help with the family house moving business, Klein’s House Moving and Construction.

In August 1999, Randy married Sara Miller. To this union, three children were born: Keeley Ann, Kaydence Lynn, and Jacob Joseph. They built a life in Gregory, and he continued to work in the construction and hunting businesses.

He was a jack of all trades - from house mover to construction worker, pressman to dog trainer, hunting guide to truck driver. He eventually started his own concrete and construction business, Heartland Builders. Randy and Sara later divorced.

Randy explored several different hobbies including mud running, fishing, and hunting, but his true passions were golfing, cheering on the Oklahoma Sooners, and coaching his kids’ softball and baseball teams. He started coaching when his oldest began t-ball and continued coaching his three kids’ teams until he was physically unable to do so.

Randy later shared his life with Catherine (Catie) Lutt. With this relationship, he also welcomed Catherine’s two children Andrew and Hailie. Together, Randy and Catherine enjoyed going to NASCAR races and the National Finals Rodeo, and trying to keep up with all of the kids’ sporting and school events.

Randy was diagnosed with Stage IV Glioblastoma on August 4, 2021. From the beginning of his diagnosis, Randy was bound and determined to fight cancer. During his illness, he continued his involvement in his children’s lives, attending their school and sporting activities when he was able. Randy showed courage and determination during his 11 month battle.

Randy passed away on July 15, 2022, at the Avera Gregory Hospital in Gregory, SD, at the age of 44.

Randy is survived by his daughters Keeley and Kaydence; son Jacob; parents Joe and Lynn; brothers Tony and Matt; grandparents Ed and Sharon Ridgway; fiancé Catherine and Catherine’s children Andrew and Hailie; and by several uncles, aunts, extended family, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents Clarence and Gladys Klein, aunt Jody Ridgway, and uncles Allen Ridgway, Donald Klein, and Ricky Klein.