Gideon "Pete" Rithmiller

Gideon “Pete” Rithmiller, 66 of Aberdeen and formerly of Webster died on Monday, January 15, 2018 at Aberdeen Health & Rehab. Memorial Services will be at 2:00 P.M. on Friday, January 19, 2018 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Webster, Rev. Mike DeKraai will officiate. Visitation will be Thursday 5-7 P.M. closing with a prayer service at 6:45 P.M. at Fiksdal Funeral Service. Gideon "Pete" Allen Rithmiller was born January 25, 1951 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was the oldest of three children born to Gideon and Maryann (Robb) Rithmiller. Pete grew up and attended school in Minneapolis and this is where he would meet the love of his life, Elizabeth Hajnasiewicz. The couple married on September 6, 1969 in Minneapolis and through this courtship had five children. Pete and Liz moved to Webster, SD in 1983. Shortly after, he accepted a position with the Webster Police Department. In 1991 he became Chief of Police and held this position up until his retirement in 2006. Pete was a member of the fraternal order of police and the Webster VFW. Pete enjoyed spending time with his kids and grandkids, coaching little league baseball, fishing, hunting, watching westerns, swimming in his pool, and most of all, time spent with his wife of 48 years. Petes one wish that was repeated throughout the years was "take care of your mother"---We sure will, Dad! Gideon “Pete” Rithmiller died January 15, 2018, with his devoted wife by his side. He will be forever loved and greatly missed by his wife, Liz of Aberdeen; four sons, Shawn (Dawn) Rithmiller of Webster, SD, Shane (Angela) Rithmiller of Minot, ND, Peter (Josie) Rithmiller of Greeley, CO and Bobby (Heidi) Rithmiller of Aurora, SD; one daughter, Lula (Jeremy) Merchant of Aberdeen, SD; his mother, MaryAnn Rithmiller of Webster, SD; a brother-in-law, Ernie Swan of Annandale, MN; a sister-in-law, Rita Rithmiller of Mille Lacs, MN; thirteen grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his father, one brother, Bill and one sister, Lois Swan. Memorial visitation will be the funeral home in Webster on Thursday 5-7 P.M. with a 6:45 P.M. prayer service. Fiksdalfuneral.com.