Lloyd Kessel, 82, of Spearfish, went to Heaven April 5, 2017.

Lloyd was born in Milwaukee, WI on November 27, 1934 to Wallace and Alice (Shimmen) Kessel. At an early age, the family moved to a farm near Carthage, SD. He graduated in 1952 from Carthage High School and a year later entered the Navy. While on leave, he attended a New Year's dance in Oldham, SD where he met his soul mate and the love of his life, Carol Burdick. They were married November 2, 1957 and moved to Torrance, CA until his retirement in 1996. They were blessed with two sons, Tim and Scott. Lloyd and Carol retired to their mountain home in Bass Lake, CA. In 2002, they returned to South Dakota and settled in Spearfish.

Lloyd was passionate about duplicating real life in miniature and many locals, as well as tourists have enjoyed his creations at the miniature train site in Deadwood. He was also enthusiastic at flying radio controlled airplanes, metal detecting, building models and camping. He loved riding motorcycles with his sons in the California desert. Lloyd also enjoyed being on pit crew for off-road racing teams in his younger days, which was always a family affair. He was an avid Nascar fan.

Since living in Spearfish, Lloyd and Carol enjoyed dancing, playing bingo, serving Senior Center breakfasts during rally, traveling with their motorhome, camping with Centennial Roamers and friends, Thursday morning breakfast at the OREOS and numerous events and functions. Lloyd was not the kind of person to sit still.
Lloyd was a quiet, soft spoken man but firm in his convictions and strong in his faith. Lloyd was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Whitewood, SD.

Lloyd is survived by his wife, Carol; sons, Tim (Diane), Corona, CA and Scott (Margaret), Long Beach, CA; five grandchildren, Michael (Kathryn), Brandon, Joey, Cheyne and Breanna (Joe) Sherrin; five great-grandchildren; brother, Kenny, Roseville, CA; the Burdick inlaws and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 5pm-7pm, Wednesday, April 12, 2017 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday, April 13, 2017 at the 1st Presbyterian Church in Whitewood. Burial with military honors be take place at Black Hills National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the Spearfish Veterans Monument.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel & Crematory Service of Spearfish.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com