Paul Ust, lifetime South Dakota resident, avid fisherman, and beloved grandpa, died Nov. 19, 2022. He was 68 years old.
Paul Allan Ust was born June 11, 1954, in Brookings, SD, to Peter Milton and Verna (Quail) Ust. He attended Brookings Public Schools, and graduated from Brookings High School in 1972. Following high school, Paul moved to Sioux Falls, SD, where he resided until his death. Paul worked as a concrete finisher for nearly 40 years, most of that time with Gil Haugen Construction.
Paul raised his two children, Tracy (Ust) Riekenberg and Randy Ust, as a single father in Sioux Falls. He was a dedicated parent, attending all of his children’s band concerts, football games, and other activities.
Nonetheless, Paul always found time for his favorite pastime: walleye fishing. Be it summer on the boat or winter in the ice shack, Paul would be out there casting for the next big catch. It brought him joy to fish, but it made him even happier to fry up the fish for his family. A true angler at heart, Paul never shared his fishing hot spots, taking those with him in death.
Paul also took up bicycling, and would often ride the entire length of the Sioux Falls bike trail. He and his siblings spent time in the Black Hills, exploring the George Mickelson Trail.
Upon retirement, Paul used his free time to enjoy his grandchildren. Like with his own children, he made the effort to attend as many of his grandchildren’s events as possible: games and concerts in Sioux Falls and theater productions and church choir performances in St. Paul. He also loved playing Uno with his grandchildren, as well as spending time outdoors with them skipping rocks in the Mississippi River, traveling to the Twin Cities for holidays, and just sitting back and listening to the children laugh and play together.
Paul is survived by his daughter, Tracy Riekenberg (Eric Swanson), St. Paul, MN, and son Randy Ust (Jessi Ries), Stillwater, MN; grandchildren Calvin, Evie, Mara, Hannah, and Ben; sisters Jean Martz, Pittsburgh, PA, Dee Shanley, Brookings, SD, Donna Thompson, Atlanta, GA; and brother George Ust, Brookings, SD.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at Miller Southside Chapel, 7400 S. Minnesota Avenue. The family will be present to greet friends from 4 to 6 p.m.Thursday afternoon Dec. 1, at Southside Chapel. Interment will take place at 1:45 p.m., Friday Dec. 2 at First Lutheran Cemetery, Brookings, SD.