Ken Kirby, age 90, traded his temporary home for his eternal home with his Lord & Savior on Monday, August 3, 2026, surrounded by family at the Avera Oahe Manor, Gettysburg.
Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 7, 2026, at Grace Bible Church, Gettysburg with Pastor Logan Nyquist presiding. Burial will follow in the Gettysburg Cemetery. A prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, August 6, 2026, at the church with visitation one hour prior.
Kenneth Lee Kirby was born at the Westphal Maternity Home in Gettysburg, South Dakota on September 12, 1935, to Lee and Lois (Blunt) Kirby of Lebanon. He spent most of his life five miles south of Lebanon. Ken attended Evergreen Country School and later Gettysburg Elementary School before graduating from Gettysburg High School in 1953. In 1957 he joined the National Guard for six years. He completed six months of active-duty basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
On February 24, 1962, he married Renea Umiker of Pierre, South Dakota. They made their home of 64 years at the family farm south of Lebanon. They were blessed with four children: Kevin Kenneth, Lee Allen, Kelly John, and Kari Lynn. In their early years, Ken and Renea enjoyed roller skating, bowling, and square dancing. Ken always enjoyed watching a good Western movie, especially one with John Wayne.
Ken had farming in his blood. He farmed and raised pigs, sheep, and cows – the latter being his love. Another favorite of his was baling hay and putting up silage. Neighbors knew him as a hard worker and early riser. They joked that no one could ever get to work before he did. Ken was very handy – he could fix anything. He was a mechanic, woodworker, and a creative welder. He built a hay rack and many other farm items, as well as kitchen cupboards and various furniture items.
Ken started every morning by reading his Bible and praying. He was a member of Grace Bible Church. He taught Sunday School, volunteered as a youth leader, helped with Awana, and served on various boards at church. He and Renea hosted Bible studies in their home for many years and touched many lives through their faith.
He was a 4-H leader when the kids were young and served on the Lebanon Equity Elevator board.
Ken was a prankster at heart. He had a lot of fun playing jokes. He woke up overnight guests using fireworks, offered drinks with a “fly in the ice cube,” and even enjoyed joking around with the nursing home staff during his final eleven months. He loved fireworks and every Fourth of July was like Christmas for him. He had a quiet personality with a caring, generous heart. Ken was selfless and always put others first. His love for Renea was evident to all, and they were often seen holding hands. He always had a smile on his face.
Ken is survived by his children: Kevin (Lori) Kirby of Barry TX, Lee (Pam) Kirby of Midlothian, TX, Kelly (Renee) Kirby of Gettysburg, SD, and Kari (Rick) Decker of Gettysburg, SD; his twelve grandchildren: Kendall Wolf, Kassie Rich, Jayd Kirby, Jody Kirby, Jason Andrada, Jeff Andrada, Brooke Johnson, Carson Kirby, Kolten Kirby, Cameron Swier, Calen Decker, and Logan Decker; twenty great-grandchildren; sisters-in-law: Theresa Kirby of Gettysburg, SD, Verna Fransen of Pierre, SD, and Bernadine Hinckley of Pierre, SD; and brothers-in-law: Eldon Umiker of Hot Springs, SD and John D. Umiker of Lebanon, SD.
Ken is preceded in death by his wife, Renea; his parents, Lee and Lois Kirby; brother, Francis Kirby; father-in-law and mother-in-law, John F and Marie Umiker; brothers-in-law, Harlan Fransen and Malcolm Hinckley; and sister-in-law, Marilyn Umiker.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Kenny’s arrangements.
