R. Lars Herseth

Ralph Lars Herseth, known throughout South Dakota as R. Lars Herseth or simply Lars, was a Democratic legislator, third-generation farmer and rancher, and renewable-fuels advocate whose public life spanned two decades in Pierre and many more years as a voice for rural agriculture. Born on 16 June 1946 in Aberdeen, South Dakota, he grew up on the family farm and ranch near Houghton, overlooking the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The land that shaped his childhood remained the center of his life for eight decades.

He was the son of Ralph E. Herseth, South Dakota's 21st governor (1959-1961), and Lorna B. Herseth, who later served as the state's secretary of state (1973-1979). After graduating from the University of South Dakota, Lars returned to northeastern South Dakota to raise a young family and continue the Herseth tradition of farming and ranching. Over the years he raised corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa and kept Black Angus cattle, knowing both good seasons and years marked by drought, hail and flooding.

Public service followed as naturally as harvest. Herseth entered the South Dakota House of Representatives in 1975 and served twelve years in the House and eight in the Senate, representing Brown and Marshall counties in District 2. He became one of the state's most prominent legislative leaders: House minority leader from 1979 to 1986, Senate president pro tempore in 1993-1994, and Senate minority leader in 1995-1996. In 1986 he won the Democratic nomination for governor, running against Republican George Mickelson in a race between sons of former governors; Mickelson prevailed in the general election.

Colleagues remembered Herseth for legislative acumen, command of the issues, and a collegiality that crossed party lines. He worked with Republican Governor Bill Janklow and lawmakers of both parties to preserve essential rail service during South Dakota's railroad crisis of the late 1970s and early 1980s, when line abandonments threatened the agricultural economy. His portfolio included agriculture, transportation, economic development and health care. He was a steadfast advocate for women's rights and Native American issues, and in his final legislative term he spoke against a bill that sought to prevent recognition of same-sex marriage.

After leaving elected office he remained a force in agriculture and renewable fuels. He served as president of the American Coalition for Ethanol and on the South Dakota Corn Utilization Council (1998-2006), promoting E15, blender pumps and flex-fuel vehicles. He sat on the board of Northern Growers LLC behind the Poet Biorefining-Big Stone ethanol plant and invested in locally owned plants including Glacial Lakes Energy, Redfield Energy and Granite Falls Energy. The South Dakota Corn Growers Association honored him with its Excellence in Agriculture Award, and the American Coalition for Ethanol presented him the Merle Anderson Award.

For the last 32 years of his life he was married to Diane Friedman Herseth. They shared a love of the Sand Lake landscape, horses and travel, visiting nearly two-thirds of America's national parks. He raised three children, Todd Herseth, Stephanie Herseth Sandlin and Matthew Anderson, and delighted in grandchildren Addison, Ayson and Zachary. Stephanie represented South Dakota in the U.S. House from 2004 to 2011 and later became president of Augustana University in Sioux Falls.

Herseth died of cancer on 12 September 2026 at his lifelong home near Houghton, surrounded by family. He was 80. Governor Larry Rhoden ordered flags at the state Capitol flown at half-staff on the day of his memorial service. Friends and former colleagues, including U.S. Senator Mike Rounds, remembered him as a statesman and problem solver who put South Dakotans ahead of partisan difference. Memorials were suggested to Feeding South Dakota and South Dakota Public Broadcasting.