How can one sum up 91 well lived years in a few words? Allen Richard Moeller was born on March 8, 1935 to Richard and Cora (Shoun) Moeller. He grew up on the farm his dad homesteaded 20 miles east of Sturgis, SD.

Growing up on the farm, he and his sisters, Freda and Ethel, were very involved in 4-H. Along with learning to care for animals, he learned about weeds. There was hardly a weed he didn’t know. Before his dad passed away in 1962, Allen bought the farm for $45,000 at $15 per acre (3,000 acres).

As president of the Alkali Community Club, he helped start what is today known as the Black Hills Steam and Gas Threshing Bee.

In 1967 he married the love of his life, Sandy (Sperle), whom he met at the Whitewood dances. They had two children while on the farm, Richard Allen and Johnna, and a third, Chris, as they were transitioning to Sturgis in 1972. Sandra had always wanted five kids. In 2003 that dream and miracle became a reality with the adoption of Mariah and Tobias.

It must have come from growing up on the farm that he could figure out anything. From driving a tractor from the top of a combine, building a haystacker, to creating a birdbath with a disc plow and horseshoes, there wasn’t much he couldn’t engineer. This worked well in the multiple jobs that he had. From farming and implement repairs, to building a house from foundation to rafters and everything in between.

Over the years he worked for a Who’s Who of the Black Hills including Rod McKey, Dave Hursrud, Leo Wakefield, and J.U. Dickson. In 1981, due to the recession, they bought an assisted-living facility with mostly veterans and named it We Care Home for the Aged. In the late ‘80s he started working construction which eventually transitioned into doing maintenance for Believers Fellowship.

He truly loved what he did for the church. Whether patching a hole in the sheetrock from playing football in the sanctuary to helping children down the water slide during VBS, his servant’s heart was evident. His name was even on the rafters as the rafter company knew it as “Allen’s Church”.

He spent the last three years of his life at Monument Health Sturgis Care Center where he was truly cared for by all the staff. From the aids and nurses to the cleaning and maintenance staff, he was loved. He was very involved with activities and loved doing jigsaw puzzles until ultimately his bad shoulders took even that away.

There’s already been a tremendous outpouring of love for Dad on social media. What’s mentioned most is his kindness and servant’s heart. That is truly his legacy. The best way we can honor that legacy is to do the same.

Dad’s unquestionable source of strength came from a deep confidence in His Lord, Jesus Christ. Allen was one who lived his relationship more than talking about it. Some would say he wasn’t very spiritual, but to be in his presence was to be in the presence of greatness. Not because of his great works and accolades but because of his comfortable companionship with God. That was truly the source of everything good he did.

Allen passed away September 26, 2026 in the Lippold Hospice Suite surrounded by his loving family under the care of the staff at Monument Health Sturgis Hospital.

Family includes three sons, Richard Moeller of Sturgis, SD, Chris Moeller of Rapid City, SD and Tobias Moeller of Rapid City, SD; two daughters, Johnna (Tom) Meadows of Yankton, SD and Mariah Moeller of Sturgis, SD; seventeen grandchildren and great-grandchildren including; Sam & Acacia Edler, daughters, Moriah & Haley, Jeffrey Moeller, Shawn Moeller, Kaleah Moeller, daughter Joy Moeller, Toby Jack. Jacob Moeller, Julius Frog, DeLayne Mesteth, DeWayne Mesteth, Lillian Moeller, Callie Rose Moeller, Francis Moeller, and Daphne Moeller; one brother-in-law, Wayne Dehart; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Dad was preceded in death by his wife; his parents; one brother-in-law Henry Cordes; and two sisters, Ethel Cordes and Freda Dehart.

A viewing will be Monday, October 5, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel in Sturgis. There will be an open mic at the viewing for those who want to share stories. A memorial service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at Believers Fellowship in Sturgis with Pastor John Williamson officiating and Edna Smith playing the piano. Interment will follow at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.

A memorial has been established to the Monument Health Sturgis Care Center or to the donor’s choice.

Honorary Pallbearers are Barry Herman, Deb Moken, Dayton Dobler, Gary Hopkins, Keith Keffler and Mark Shuck.