Kenneth Eldon Thiesen, Sr., 76, of Doland, SD, died Friday, November 09, 2012, surrounded by his loving family, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Kenneth was cremated and his memorial service will be Friday, November 16, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Doland. Reverend Kris Larson will officiate. Cremains burial will be at a later date. www.thelenfuneralhome.com

Kenneth was born March 31, 1936 in Goessel, KS to Daniel and Esther (Franz) Thiesen. He grew up in Colorado and Kansas and graduated from Goessel High School in Kansas. He worked on the family farm and a local lumberyard and various jobs. He was working on a custom combine crew when he came to South Dakota and met Linda Jansen. They were married in Doland on July 28, 1957. They lived on the farm northwest of Doland until 1988 when he retired. He then worked at the Doland Elevator for ten years.

Kenny and Linda traveled to Alaska, with their granddaughter Vicki in 2011. He enjoyed antiques tools and antiques of all kinds. He spent a lot of his time junking. He has a restored Farmall tractor in the museum in Pierre. He loved his cats Sam and Max and his dog Huckleberry. Kenny loved his family; his pride and joy were his grandchildren and great grandchildren, that he called his pants bangers.

Kenny is survived by his wife Linda of Doland; his children: Kenneth "Kenny" (Lona) Thiesen, Jr. of Minot, ND; David Thiesen of Doland; Danny Thiesen of Watertown; and Jonathon Thiesen of Flandreau, SD; four grandchildren: Michael (Amber) Thiesen, Heidi (Mat) Wiese, Heather Seefeldt and Vicki Thiesen and eight great grandchildren. He is also survived by his siblings: Lucille (Palmer) Base of Tampa, KS; Evelena (Bob) Androes of Walton, KS; Alvin (Ann) Thiesen of Newton, KS and Geneva Prych of Newton, KS.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his daughter Julie Ann and his brother Delbert "Bud".