Sam F. Weller Family Foundation Fund
To provide financial support to charitable purposes in the Mitchell, SD area at the recommendation of the designated committee.
Fund Details
Photo: Mitchell Area Historical Society
Making grants to non-profit projects and programs in the Mitchell, South Dakota area.
Circa 1913. Man with hand on the hip - Charles S. Weller (father of Sam Weller), man on tractor - unknown, man standing behind Charles - unknown, man sitting in car Frank Weller (grandfather of Sam Weller) The car pictured is a 2-cylinder Brush roadster believed to be the 1st or 2nd car in Mitchell, SD. The large machine in the middle of the picture is the first Holt Caterpillar tractor west of the Mississippi River owned by the Weller Land Co. Photo donated by the Sam Weller family.
The Sam F. Weller Family Foundation was established by Richard F. Weller to:
- Honor his father Sam F. Weller and his family
- Give something back to the Mitchell, South Dakota, community that gave Sam and his family the opportunity to succeed in business.
- Provide grant money to charities for special projects that are beyond their normal budgets
Richard Franklin Weller (Dick), who was born and raised in Mitchell SD, established a private foundation in October 2014 to honor the legacy of his father, Sam F Weller and his family. Sam was a well-known figure in the Mitchell area in the mid-1900’s and was heavily involved in civic activities and community improvement. Sam would be pleased to see the support and commitment to the Mitchell area continue in the name of the Sam F. Weller Family Foundation. As Dick would say, the foundation was the goose that laid the golden egg and would perpetually reward the community that helped the Weller family succeed.
Dick was born September 28th, 1932, and graduated from Mitchell High School. He attended Stanford University and the University of Nebraska, where he joined the SAE fraternity. He earned his MBA at Wharton Business School in one year.
​In 1955, Dick married Beverly Beal and moved to Roswell, NM to fulfill his ROTC commitment. In 1957, they moved to Mitchell and joined The Weller Company with his father Sam F. Weller, to sell real estate and insurance. They had three children: Lucinda, Steven, and Jason. In 1969, his career pivoted, and he developed and managed the Mitchell Holiday Inn with a partner. He later developed the Spearfish Holiday Inn, as well as several other hospitality ventures. He moved to Rapid City SD and married Derrolynn McCardle in 1974.
After the death of Derrolynn in June 2022, Dick, his sharp mind still intact, returned to Mitchell, residing at Countryside Living until his death on September 5, 2022.
Sam F Weller was born in Sioux City IA in December, 1901, to Charles and Sara (Ball) Weller. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1919 and went on to play college football for Dakota Wesleyan University in 1921 and 1922.
Sam married Edna Braase in 1927 in Glendale CA and moved back to Mitchell where they made their home and raised two children, Corinne and Richard. He joined the family business originally begun by his grandfather, Frank Weller, and continued by his father.
The Weller Land Company was organized in Mitchell, SD in 1890 as a farming operation, and was later renamed The Weller Company when it added an insurance agency to its business purpose.
Sam was actively and passionately involved in the Mitchell community including service with the Masonic Lodge, the Mitchell Shriners, the Elks Club, the Lions Club and was an artifact contributor and volunteer greeter for the FMB Discovery Museum. He was an avid sportsman and was a life member of the Mitchell Sportsman’s Club, Ducks Unlimited and Quarterback Club. He also served on the board of directors of Mitchell Development Corporation and the Chamber of Commerce. He and Edna were active members of St. Mary’s Episcopal Church where he served as senior warden of the church vestry.
Sam passed away in March, 1978, and his wife Edna (born October 3, 1901) passed in February, 2008 at the age of 106.
Granting Committee
The bylaws of the SFWFF call for the board of directors to consist of representatives appointed by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church, Mitchell Area Charitable Foundation, the Mayor of Mitchell ELO Prof. LLC and the Mitchell Jaycees.
The original board of directors was named at their initial board meeting in October 2014 and consisted of David Brooks, Tona Rozum, Ken Tracy, David Olson and Trudy Morgan. Ken Tracy has retired from the board, and Terry Sabers appointed to take his place.
- Abbott House
- Abbott House Bridges
- CASA
- Dakota Discovery Museum
- Friends of Middle Border
- Friends of Sanborn County 4-H
- Junior Achievement
- Kippes Veterans Park
- Mitchell Area Development Corporation
- Mitchell Area Housing Inc
- Mitchell Area Safe Place (Safehouse)
- Mitchell Baseball
- Mitchell Historical Society
- Mitchell Lions Club
- Mitchell Music Boosters / Show Choir
- Mitchell Public Library
- Mitchell Safe Place
- Mitchell Skating & Hockey
- Mitchell Weekend Snackpack
- Papa's Park c/o City of Parkston
- Prehistoric Indian Village
- Safehouse
- St. Mary's Episcopal Church
