Richard Adee, 90 of Bruce, South Dakota, went home went home to meet his Heavenly Father on September 30, 2026. A gentle, humble man with a servant’s heart, Richard lived a life deeply rooted in faith, a quiet dedication to his work, and a profound, abiding love for his family. Born on December 29, 1935, in Arnold, Nebraska, Richard was introduced to beekeeping by his father and uncles during his youth-a simple family pursuit that blossomed into a lifelong calling. Richard attended Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas and North Park College in Chicago, Illinois. In 1957, along side his brother Stanley, he began building what would become Adee Honey Farms in Bruce, South Dakota. Following a devasting truck accident that claimed his brothers life in 1959, Richard quietly shouldered his grief and pressed forward, driven by a deep desire to honor Stanley’s memory.

That same year, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Alice Bergstrom. For 68 years, Richard and Alice walked hand-n-hand through life, building a family defined by warmth, devotion, and grace. Though Richard’s dedication and vision helped to grow Adee Honey Farms into a nationally recognized name, he never lost his grounded, unassuming nature. He viewed his work not as a quest for accolades, but as a daily blessing. He loved what he did every single day, finding Joy in the simple rhythm of the outdoors and treasuring the colleagues, friends and community members he shared it with. Beyond his own business, he quietly advocated for the broader beekeeping community, working tirelessly to protect the craft and the people and devoted to it. Richard served on many boards, He was a founding member of the American Honey Producers Association and served in many positions to include President for many years. Other boards included the Brookings Wesleyan Church board, Sioux Valley School board, National Honey Board, South Dakota Beekeepers Association and numerous industry boards. Yet, for all his accomplishments, his truest legacy was the love he poured into his family. He was a pillar of strength, kindness, and patience-a man whose gently spirit and steadfast love for the Lord carried him through 90 beautiful years. He is survived by his beloved wife, Alice (Bergstrom) Adee; his sons, Bret (Connie) Adee and Kelvin (Darla) Adee; his daughter, Marla (Craig) Hoyer; 11 grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. Richard was proceeded in death by parents, Vernon and Mae Adee; Siblings, Robert Adee, Donna Brown, Stanely Adee and VernaMae Johnson.

Richard was deeply cherished by everyone who knew him. While his physical presence will be missed beyond measure by his family, they take profound peace and comfort in knowing that because of God’s promise, they will be reunited with him in Heaven someday.

Faith was an important part of Richard and Alice’s life and their journey to follow the bees around the country led them to worship in many different church communities to include Brantford Covenant of Kansas, Brookings Wesleyan Church of South Dakota, Woodville Baptist of Mississippi, Kihei Baptist and Calvary Baptist of Maui, and most recently Bible Baptist of South Dakota.

A family visitation service will be held on Thursday, October 8th at Eidness Funeral Home from 5:00 – 7:00 pm, Funeral service will be held Friday, October 9th at Gracepoint Wesleyan Church at 10:30 am. Lunch will be served following the funeral. Internment will take place at Elmwood Cemetery in Bruce, South Dakota.