Kenneth (Kenny/Ken) David Anderson, who left many in tears with his quick wit and humor, passed away peacefully in his home, surrounded by family, on Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the blessed age of 88. Born May 6, 1938 to Neils Peter Anderson and Edith Johanne (Nielsen) Anderson, Kenny was the youngest of eight children, with his oldest sibling being 22 years his elder. Kenny was raised in Yankton SD being baptized and confirmed in Yankton as well as graduated from Yankton High School. While growing up, Kenny loved to play sports with baseball being his greatest passion from age 8 through his late 20’s. Kenny became a 3rd base player-manager of the Yankton Lakers leading them to the District Six championship in 1967.

In 1957, at the age of 19, Kenny joined the United States Air Force, AF27 793 762 Airman Second Class, installing the radio communications at Ellsworth Airforce Base before being honorably discharged in March, 1959; hitchhiking back to Yankton.

That same month and year, Kenny met the “love of his life”, Jill Diane Wittmeier, and they married December 23, 1959. To this union was born five children (Laurie, Karla, Kristin, Stacia, Matthew) and a son who became part of the “Anderson Family” at the age of 16, Ray Schmit.

Kenny worked as a telephone man for Northwestern Bell and Mountain Bell telephone company, “Ma Bell” as Ken would call it, beginning in Yankton, moving to Sioux Falls, followed by Chamberlain, and then transferring to Spearfish, SD. Ken ventured into the private business sector following his 20 year telephone work, co-owning and managing Queen City Tire and Alignment in Spearfish, expanding the business opening a sister shop in Deadwood which was managed by his partner. Kenny and Jill then went into business for themselves opening a mom-&-pop shop known as “Ken’s Phone Service” from 1979-2001 with Kenny repairing and installing private and corporate phone systems and Jill managing the office. In 2001 Ken sold his phone business to Johnson Electric of Belle Fourche SD, finally hanging up his work belts for the life of leisure.

Kenny spent years giving back to his community including volunteering his time to the Spearfish Volunteer Fire Department and receiving the “Citizens of Spearfish” award in 1979 for his, and wife Jill’s, dedication to representing the youth of Spearfish as the coach, president, and director of Spearfish’s summer AAU track and field program called the “Road Runners.” Ken not only coached the youth throughout his years of service, but also many of the kids, including his own, fondly recalling the bus trips to track meets where Ken filled in as the bus driver. The honorary event of his service to the AAU track program was hosting the Regional Track Meet which brought 1100 athletes to Spearfish from North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota. Governor Bill Janklow spoke at the opening ceremonies.

Ken also devoted his time to coaching his daughters’ softball team, and served as an umpire and referee of various sports including basketball, football, and baseball at the high school and community league levels. Travel with his wife Jill was always a highlight of his, traveling to Texas annually to get out of the S.D. snow. Golf, wood working, and hunting were also part of Kenny’s leisure years with his most memorable hunting trip being an elk hunt in Wyoming with friend Don Deberg, traveling 15 miles by horseback into the Teton Mountains, downing his elk within the first 24 hours.

Ken had so many amazing qualities, the most notorious being his humor and wittiness, catching everyone off guard with his ‘come-backs’ to questions and casual insertions of false information into a serious conversation just to see if you were paying attention. Some of Ken’s personal favorite sayings included “And on the other hand, she wore a glove,” “With my eyes closed” when you asked him how he slept last night, and his standard reply of “Just Peachy” whenever you asked him how he was doing. Kenny’s favorite memory was the day he met his wife, Jill, retelling his version of how this event went down whether you wanted to hear it or not. After losing his ‘best friend’, Jill, in 2018, his heart’s companion became his dog Ellie, who never left his side.

Ken is survived by his sister Arlene Lefler of Sioux Falls SD, five children Laurie Albrecht (Howie) of Spearfish, SD, Kris Thomas (Michael) of Gillette, WY, Stacia Roggenbaum (James) of Bradford, Pennsylvania, Matt Anderson (Chantal) of Hot Springs, SD, and Ray Schmit of Gillette, WY; seven grandchildren Kristina Stricker (Seth), Ashley Wolfe (Robert), Rachel Precht (Keighan), Michael Anderson, Taylor Roggenbaum, Morgan Bean (Benjamin), and Ryan Schmit; three great-grandchildren Rose, Elijiah, and Anya and many nieces, nephews and great-nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death includes wife Jill D. Anderson; daughter Karla Kay Anderson; parents Neils P. and Edith J. Anderson; six siblings Richard Anderson, Marie Jeffers, Lorraine Brimmer, Leila Nilson, Neils Anderson Jr., and Ida Mae James.

A Christian memorial service will be held at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at Saint Paul Lutheran Church followed by a reception in the church hall. Burial will0 follow at 1:30 PM at Black Hills National Cemetery with full military honors provided by the US Air Force. Per Ken’s request, memorials can be made to the American Diabetes Association. Thank You All!

The Anderson Family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to Ken’s in-home caregivers for the last several years of love, devotion and compassion, as well as all their family and friends for extending their love and support during this most challenging time. Dad, Grandpa, and Great Grandpa will be sorely missed by all of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Thank you, Jesus, for taking your child home.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Home and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com.