PIERRE, SD – Kenneth R. Stewart, 76, passed away Wednesday, January 15, 2025 at Avera-Maryhouse in Pierre. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00am, Monday, January 20, 2025 at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Fort Pierre with visitation prior from 10:00am to 11:00am. A Rosary will be prayed at 9:45am.

Ken was born February 25, 1948 in Wagner, SD to Louis and Helen (Melmer) Stewart. The family moved to Fort Pierre in 1956, where Ken and his three siblings grew up. Ken graduated from Fort Pierre High School in 1966 before attending Black Hills State in Spearfish.

Ken joined the State Historical Society in 1969 as director of the census project. He also assessed and monitored historic sites across the state. His interest in mining led him away from state government and he spent time working for Anaconda Mining Company. He returned to the State Archives in the 1990s where he held the roll of research room administrator until his retirement in 2020. Over the years Ken helped thousands of researchers find answers to questions about South Dakota history. He worked with many South Dakota historians, both professional and amateur, and will be missed by the history community.

Ken’s passion was South Dakota history. A fantastic storyteller, he hosted many well-attended talks, gave lively interviews, and published articles about a variety of topics over the years. Besides Black Hills mining history, he was an expert on the storied Fort Pierre-Deadwood Trail and the disreputable history of Pierre and Fort Pierre, recording tales of prostitutes and outlaws like Calamity Jane and Arkansaw Joe. He exhaustively researched the history of beer making in the state, uncovering a previously forgotten, short-lived brewery in Pierre. Most recently, he served on Fort Pierre’s Cedar Hill Cemetery Preservation Board and donated his time researching some of the long-forgotten stories held in the pioneer burial grounds. He loved engaging about his interest with friends and strangers alike.

Having a great sense of humor, Ken will be remembered for his sharp wit, charm and dedication. (He will not be remembered for his patience or his organizational skill, but he was loved anyway.) In addition to all his other activities, Ken was an avid reader and enjoyed collecting books.

Ken was devoted in his Catholic faith. He was a longtime member of St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church in Fort Pierre, where he previously served as a reader. He loved the Rosary and attending Mass with his mother until her passing in 2022. He was a generous supporter of many causes.

Ken is survived by two brothers, Dennis Dean (Mary) Stewart of Pierre and Shannon (Marlene) Stewart of Eaton, CO; his sister Shirley (Mark) Barber of Onida, and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Helen and Louis Stewart.

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