Kenneth M. Randall, Jr.

Kenneth M. Randall, Jr. age 93, of Prairie City, SD, passed away in Colorado on August 29, 2024.

Funeral services for Ken will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Beckman Memorial Wesleyan Church in Prairie City, SD.  Pastor Brad Burkhalter will officiate with burial and military honors to follow at the Prairie City Cemetery.

Kenneth Merwin Randall Jr. was born July, 11, 1931at his parents home in Maltby, SD, at the present day home of Willis and Cindy Kopren. He was the oldest son of Kenneth Sr. and Mary Randall. He had two sisters, Eva Quatier and Joann Smith and a younger brother Michael Randall. He spent his early years on a ranch, a few miles east of the ranch on Rabbit Creek eight miles south of Prairie City, where he spent most of his life. He attended Bison high school and graduated in 1949. He spent two years serving in the army and was stationed in Germany during the Korean War from 1953 – 1955. He spent his life working on the family ranch from age 15 to 65. He married Judy Woodbury December 18, 1960 at the Presbyterian Church in Bison SD. They had five children, Paul, David, Marcia, Philip and Stephen. He and his bride would go hunting, ice skating and sledding as remembered by Paul in their early years together. He was a private pilot and bought his first airplane when he was single and bought a new Aeronca Champ plane after he was married. There were many good memories of flying with him and sometimes doing a few stunts. When his father passed away at age 63, he was left to run the ranch with the help of his brother Michael and usually a hired hand for about 25 years. When his kids got old enough they were a big help, mostly in the summers.

 Shortly after he married Judy, they started attending the Wesleyan Church in Prairie City. He faithfully attended his church and was an active participant sometimes teaching Sunday School over the years. He was involved with the Gideons and spent a number of Sundays at other churches telling them about the Gideon's Ministry. He attended Wesleyan Church Camps in the Black Hills at various times throughout his life.

He and Judy enjoyed fishing and camping together after all the kids moved away and they had more time together until Judy couldn't do that anymore. After he retired he spent the next 20 years growing a garden every summer and various other activities. He took care of his mother Mary and wife Judy until they passed away. He moved to Colorado to live with his son Paul and daughter-in-law Johanna, and granddaughter Rebekah in 2018.

Kenny is survived by his brother Michael (Natalia), five children Paul (Johanna), David, Marcia (Jerry) Yeik, Phil (Betty), and Steve. Also 15 Grandchildren and 8 greatgrandchildren. Kenny is preceded in death by his wife, Judy, parents Kenneth and Mary, sisters Joann Smith and Eva Quatier, brothers-in-law Claire Smith and Don Quatier.