Kenneth Klebsch, 86, of Highmore, passed away Tuesday, March 16, 2021 at Avera St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre after a short battle with cancer.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, March 20, 2021 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore, Father Paul Josten, celebrant.  A visitation will be held at 9:00 a.m. Saturday, March 20, 2021, followed by a rosary at 10:00 a.m., all at the church.  Burial at 12:30 p.m., MT, Monday, March 22, 2021 at Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis.  Masks are strongly encouraged for all services.

The funeral service will be livestreamed at www.familyfuneralhome.net

Kenny was born in Redfield, S.D. on November 10, 1934 to Irene (Sporrer) and Chancey Klebsch. When he was five the family, including older sister, Rosella and younger brother, Willis moved to a farm north of Highmore. He and Willis rode horseback to William Hamilton School for eight years. Kenny was a fun-loving child. One Christmas the boys were given a sled which they tied to the tail of a cow. The plan worked great until the bull started to chase them. The boys rolled off under the fence but the sled was dragged until it shattered into pieces. At Highmore High School Kenny participated in football and track. After getting home from school he did chores, mowing, stacking hay, and feeding the cattle. After high school he worked for a construction company burying telephone cable for Sully Buttes Telephone.

On January 3, 1957 Kenny was drafted into the army. He did his basic training at Fort Ord, California. While there he met his idol, comedian Red Skelton. Skelton came into the mess hall, passed around cigars, and they all enjoyed a smoke. He was then transferred to Fort McClellan, Alabama where he received the Distinguished Marksman Award.

On March 20, 1957, during a two-week furlough Kenny married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Goldsmith. They were married for 63 years. The wedding was planned in three weeks. They honeymooned in Pierre for two days. Shirley then returned to college at Northern State and Kenny returned to Fort McClellan. He was then trained in chemical warfare and decontamination, assigned to the 216th Chemical Company and was transferred to the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver, CO. Shirley joined him there after graduating with a two-year degree in elementary education. Daughter Susan Marie was born in Denver on March 14, 1958 and was delivered by the same doctor who had deliver Shirley in Highmore. On December 12, 1958 Kenny received an honorable discharge and they moved back to Highmore. Kenny helped Shirley’s dad, Wilbert move buildings while helping his own dad at the ranch on the weekends. Shirley began teaching at the Convent Country School in January. On June 2, 1961 son Michael Blake was born.

In March, 1966 the famous blizzard hit and Sully Buttes Telephone called needing linemen. Kenny worked as an installer, repairman, and trouble-shooter for 32 years around Hitchcock-Tulare, Wessington, Ree Heights and Highmore. On December 30, 1971 son Rodney Allen was born. During his telephone career Kenny saw telephones move from party line to single phone to buried cable to fiber optic to computer technology. Kenny retired in September, 1998. Kenny then drove trains in Highmore for three years loading grain. He also began helping area farmers Carl Ashdown and Don Faulstich driving truck during the harvest.

In 2007, Kenny had the original vision and was instrumental in the establishment of the Ree Valley Ranch near the home place where he grew up. Hundreds of young trees were planted at the ranch in several shelter belts and Kenny tended to them religiously, hauling water to the individual trees all summer long. As a result of his diligence, the Hyde County Conservation District awarded Kenny and Ree Valley Ranch the 2015 Tree Care Award for outstanding stewardship of the land.

Kenny had an infectious laugh that made your heart warm. He loved people and was a hard worker. His greatest joy in life was spending time with and following the activities of his children and grandchildren. He loved nothing more than family. He spent many quiet hours with his children, grandchildren and others teaching them how to hunt. In retirement he enjoyed spending time at Ree Valley Ranch – mowing, spraying, and just observing the pheasants, deer and other wildlife, or catching a coyote or two with golf balls!

Kenny was an active member of St. Mary’s Church in Highmore, serving on the Parish Council, helping to build the current church and helping Father Morgan to move in the rocks which serve as the altar and the base of the tabernacle. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Highmore Action Club, and was a life member of the NRA and Pheasants Forever. He served as a Boy Scout leader and helped start the Highmore Youth Shooting Range. Kenny also served on the Highmore City Council.

Survivors include his wife, Shirley; his children:  Sue (Mike) Flynn, Sioux Falls, Mike (Debbie) Klebsch, Cocoa, FL, Rod (Rebecca) Klebsch, Colgate, WI; grandchildren:  Erinn (Jeremy) Coe, Sean (Jaelene) Flynn, Dana Cardinale, Nicole (Eric) Clarida, Alison (Frank) Hunt, Cassidy Klebsch, Brooklynn Klebsch; great-grandchildren:  Sophia Coe, Reagan Flynn, Jordan Cardinale, Madisyn Clarida, Nicholas Clarida, Skylar Clarida, Shelby (Devin) Powers, Mitchell Hunt, Alex Cork; several nieces and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings and their spouses.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to Steps for Hope or the Senior Nutrition Center, both in Highmore.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Kenneth’s arrangements.

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