Paul "Bud" Eugene Kieffer was born April 11, 1929, at Rockerville, SD. His parents were Fernan Kieffer and Mary (Raga) Kieffer. Paul attended elementary school at Pine Grove School at Rockerville and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1948. He then moved to the Sturgis area along the Belle Fourche River, 20 miles east of Sturgis. Paul worked for his grandpa, Matt Kieffer, and took the ranch over in the 50's. He was a long time farmer, rancher, and dairy operator throughout his life on the same ranch in Meade County for over 60 years. Paul also worked at the Sturgis Livestock Exchange and Belle Fourche Sale Barn. He loved raising cattle, hay, and wheat. In his early ranching life, he also operated a dairy and sold milk to the Sturgis Cheese Factory. He raised horses, pigs, sheep, and cattle throughout his life. He was an avid hunter and was a long time member of the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

Paul had a yearning to help younger people throughout his life while on the ranch and did everything he could to help them learn how to succeed in life. At the ranch, these younger people learned how to farm, hunt, and fish. He was known as "Dad" by many.

Paul married Dorothy Ione Aust on May 21, 1949. From this marriage, they had 5 children: Dennis Eugene Kieffer, Randy Lee Kieffer, Rodney Lane Kieffer, Candace Renee Kieffer, and Richard Wayne Kieffer.

Paul "Bud" Eugene Kieffer of Sturgis, SD, passed away Friday, July 13, 2018, at the age of 89 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

He is survived by one daughter, Candace (Dan) Stark of Evergreen, CO; two sons, Randy (Susan) Kieffer and Richard Kieffer of Sturgis; four grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. Also surviving are sisters, Elvera Gilles, Bonnie (Gene) Evans, and Irene Barker, all living in the Rapid City and Rockerville area; and his two brothers, Kepner Kieffer (California) and Raymond (Rose) Kieffer of Rockerville, SD.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father; significant other, Ruth Edwards; one brother, Donald Kieffer; and two sons, Dennis Eugene Kieffer and Rodney Lane Kieffer.

Funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. July 21, 2018, at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis with Pastor John Williamson officiating. Interment will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.

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