Richard A. Deem age 70 of Slayton passed away Monday, February 17, 2014 at the Golden Living Center in Slayton.  Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 20 at the Tracy Area Funeral Home.  Visitation is 9:30-10:30 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home.  Interment is in the Tracy Cemetery.  Memorials are preferred to woundedwarriorproject.org.   Stephens Funeral Service – Tracy Area Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Richard Allen Deem was born March 31, 1943 to Wilbur and Grace (Draayom) Deem at Tracy Hospital in Tracy, Minnesota.  He was confirmed and baptized as an infant; however, he received Christ, as savior, later in life and was baptized by immersion at Victory Christian Church in Balaton.  Richard attended Tracy Public Schools and enjoyed working on the family farm between Tracy and Walnut Grove.  Richard will be remembered for serving his country in Vietnam as a Marine, 265 Unsuit, Par 10405 MARCORSEPMAN & BuMed, service being three years, two of which were tours of duty; Reenlistment Code RE-4.  He was honorably discharged, receiving the following: Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Service Medal W/1*, Vietnam Campaign Medal W/Device, Combat Action Ribbon, Sharp Shooting Badge – Rifle, Presidential Unite Citation – Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unite Citation (Gallantry Cross).

Richard is survived by his sister, Kathleen (Deem) Markel of Hayward, WI; brother, Douglas Walter Deem of Marshall, MN; nieces and nephews; and several great nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his infant brother, Kenneth Wilbur Deem; his father and mother, Wilbur G. and Grace M. Deem; and recently, his son, Terry Allen Deem of Redfield, SD.