Kenneth Darwin Sweesy, age 86 of Redwood Falls, Minnesota passed away peacefully on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at the Restorative Therapy & Nursing Home in Olivia, MN. Memorial Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday June 5, 2026 at Cansayapi Rec Center on the Lower Sioux Community with visitation taking place one hour prior to the services. Interment will be at 12:15 p.m. in the Morton City Cemetery.

Kenneth Sweesy was born December 5, 1939 to Clair & Alice (Jones) Sweesy in St. Paul. He grew up in the Redwood Falls/Morton area before moving to De Smet, SD with his family. Following high school, Kenneth joined the US Navy where he became an Aviation Machinist Mate. He served in Newfoundland, Greenland & other stations near the Arctic Circle. Unfortunately, during a refueling operation in stormy North Atlantic weather, Kenneth was blown off the wing of his P2V Aircraft, fell to the concrete & broke his back, ending his Naval career. After returning home to DeSmet, he went to work at his father’s company rendering sheep & later became a cross-country semi-truck driver until his retirement. Kenneth was united in marriage to Bonnie Cheney in 1960 and four children were born from this union – Jeffrey, Daniel, Jennifer and Jodi. As a member of the Lower Sioux Community, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards & pool. 

Kenneth is survived by his children: Jeffrey Sweesy, Jennifer Sweesy & Jodi (John) Brown all of Rapid City, SD; four grandchildren: Shawna Burnham, Jesse (Kaitlyn) Sweesy, Hailey Rae (Eric) Johnson & Stephanie Baum; four great-grandchildren: Kristen, Allison, Sierra & Bridger; one great-great-grand son: Sawyer; brother: Clair Vernon (Teresa) Sweesy of Portland, OR; special half-brother Roger (Donna) Bucholz of Rapid City, SD; & many nieces & nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents Clair & Alice Sweesy, infant son Daniel Sweesy, brothers Clayton & Lyle Sweesy, half-sister Lorraine Bucholz Ross, and half-brothers Raymond, Otto Jr, William & Robert Bucholz.