BLACK HAWK - Richard James Niehoff, 59, Black Hawk, died Monday, April 5, 2010, at Rapid City Regional Hospital. He was married June 1, 1972, to Josephine Jost at the Piedmont Catholic Church. A son, Chad, was born to this union on July 31, 1975. Richard served two years in the U.S. Army. He completed basic training at Fort Lewis, Wash., and then was stationed in Germany. After his service, Richard was a butcher at K-Mart for 13 years and at BJ's for another seven years. After his career as a butcher, Richard returned to his roots and became a cattle rancher, which was his "Heaven on Earth." If Richard was not on the ranch, he could be found with his grandchildren at the nearest convenience store, buying them bags of candy. His family knows that Richard has endless green fields and countless herds of Gelbvieh cattle in heaven. He is survived by his wife, Josephine; his son, Chad; and grandchildren, Chelsea, Destiny and Kane, all of Black Hawk; two brothers, Carl Niehoff, Mitchell, and Curt Niehoff, Dorrance, Kan.; three sisters, Linda Michalek, Murdo, Joyce Stotts, Sioux Falls, and Irene Vollmer, Chicago; an uncle, Reuben Niehoff; and many beloved nieces, nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., with a 7 p.m. Christian Wake service today at Our Lady of the Black Hills Church in Piedmont. Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 a.m. Friday, April 9, at the church, with the Rev. Mark McCormick presiding. A memorial has been established for the benefit of Richard's family. Arrangements are with Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home. Friends may sign the online guestbook and leave condolences at www.osheimschmidt.com.