Kenneth L. Lewis

Kenneth L. Lewis age 74 of Irene, South Dakota, formerly of Walnut Grove, passed away Thursday, December 2, 2010 at Sunset Manor in Irene.  Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, December 8 at the Walnut Grove Methodist Church.  Visitation is one hour prior to services at the church.  Interment is in Walnut Grove Cemetery. .  The Walnut Grove Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Kenneth Lloyd Lewis was born February 9, 1936 on the family farm north of Tracy to Lloyd and Arlene (Beebout) Lewis.  He was baptized at the Presbyterian Church in Milroy, and confirmed at the Methodist Church in Walnut Grove.  Ken began school at a one-room country school until it closed at which time he transferred to the Milroy public school.  In 1949, the family moved to their farm near Walnut Grove, and Ken finished his schooling there, graduating in 1954.  While in high school, Ken participated extensively in sports – football, basketball, and baseball.  Upon graduation, Ken attended Macalester College in St. Paul on a football scholarship for one year before returning home to help on the farm.  The following year, he enrolled in South Dakota State University at Brookings, SD.  After completing two years, he was drafted into the Army and served two years before returning to complete his education at SDSU.  Upon graduation, Ken accepted a job as social studies teacher and coach at Artesian, SD.  Later he accepted jobs at Hartford and Centerville, before quitting to join his brother Don in farming near Yankton, SD.  Ken was married to Barbara Welch in August, 1980, and they continued living near Centerville until Ken relocated to Yankton.  He later moved into Sunset Manor at Irene.  Ken’s passion was for sports as he followed the professional football and baseball teams throughout his life. 

Ken is survived by his mother Arlene Lewis of Yankton, SD; siblings: Donald (Linda) Lewis of Yankton, SD and Muriel (Edward) Cunningham of Cincinnati, OH; niece Kristen Lewis, and his beloved dog Cocoa.  He is preceded in death by his father Lloyd.