PIERRE, SD – Kenny Parker,96, of Pierre died on Saturday, January 25th at Peaceful Pines Senior Living in Ft. Pierre. A memorial service will be held at 7:00pm on Friday, February 7th at Isburg Funeral Chapel with the family greeting visitors from 5:00pm-7:00pm. For those unable to attend the service it will be live streamed through a link on his obituary page on Isburg Funeral Chapels website.

Kenneth Ray Parker “Kenny” was born on January 20, 1929 to Benjamin Franklin “Frank” and Myrtle (Cellan) Parker in Highmore, South Dakota. He joined a brother Keith and a brother Loren would later join the family. Frank would later marry Veronica (Fronnie Schmidt) and a sister, Cecelia and a brother, Francis would complete the family.

Kenny graduated from Highmore High School in 1949 where he played basketball and football.

He would earn his worth with the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) as a heavy equipment operator, helping to maintain the overhead power transmission lines. His work would take him to New Underwood, South Dakota, Devils Lake, North Dakota, Armour, South Dakota and eventually to Pierre, South Dakota. He retired in 1989 after 34 years of service.

While working in New Underwood, he met a Wall, South Dakota girl named Dixie Lee Foster. They married in 1953, and he joined the large extended Foster crew. They became the parents of three boys, Douglas, Daniel, and Steven. Many weekends were spent loading up the family and heading to Wall celebrations and always a “spirited” game of cards.

Kenny’s and Dixie’s interests varied. They enjoying camping and had a special point at Cow Creek they named Fugaweville. They would most likely be joined by the Kjars, Gerlachs, and other camping families for shared meals, cards, boating, and jet skiing. They were members of the Circle 8 square dance group and the Pierre Elks Club. Dixie passed away in 1991.

Old gas engines were a hobby of Kenny’s. He loved to tinker with them and built an engine powered little tractor. Many a grandchild would wait to ride on that tractor up and down the alley with Grandpa Kenny. He would pack up the camper, hauling a trailer and head to Prairie village in Madison, South Dakota to show off his engines and water pump and “talk shop” with other collectors. He would even venture to Mt. Pleasant, Iowa to attend the big show.

Sports were a huge part of Kenny’s world. He loved sports, especially college basketball and football. Many hours were spent watching the SDSU Jackrabbits, he was fortunate to attend many of the Summit League Championships. The New York Yankees were his team, with the Kansas City Royals being a close second. He was able to attend Yankees games in both their old stadium and new stadium, and tour Monument Row. He was able to attend Royals games, including 3 games of the 1980 World Series with the Philadelphia Phillies. His dream to attend the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York was also realized as well as watching Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls play basketball. He had an extensive baseball card collection.

Kenny’s favorite color was Governor green. He loved Governor sports and was an avid supporter of high school athletics. He had his spot in the bleachers at the gym and on the sidelines at the football field, often arriving earlier than most fans. Even after many of the players graduated, he would continue to follow their collegiate careers.

We are thankful for all who played a part in his life. His original coffee group of Lyman Chase, Lyle and Marge Hedman and Merle Olson, the Hyde Stadium “lawn chair crew” who always made sure he got to see baseball. His coffee club group who provided a platform for “lively discussion” on sports and current affairs. We are pretty sure gatherings are now a little quieter. The 4th Street neighbors who checked in on him, mowed his lawn and shoveled his sidewalk. Staff and family at the Cattleman’s Club for years of great meals and friendship. Peaceful Pines, although his stay there was short, we are grateful for the loving care and concern he received.

Kenny stayed active in his community and we were blessed to have him in our lives. We have so many wonderful memories. He truly was one of a kind.

Kenny his survived by his sons: Doug (Jan) and Steve, sister: Cecelia Miller, brother: Francis Parker (Marcia), faithful dog: Meg, sisters-in-law: Barb Reoh (Chuck) and Lynn Staikoff (Ted), grandchildren: Steve McCarty (Chasidy), Bob McCarty (Lynette), Sarah Gallagher (TJ), Kellie Tollefson (Justin), and Anthony Parker (Trang), great grandchildren: Arielle Isernhagen (Lane), Kaitlyn Carroll (Jason), Jessika Meier (Justin), Matthew McCarty, Noah McCarty, Bennett Tollefson, McKinley Tollefson, Kennedy Tollefson, Brooklyn Tollefson and Connor Gallagher, and a host of nieces and nephews.

Kenny was preceded in death by his wife Dixie, son Dan Parker and daughter-in-law Mary Parker, brothers Keith Parker and Loren Parker, brother-in-law Eldon Miller and numerous in-laws.

Honorary urn bearers are Kenny’s grandchildren and great grandchildren.

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