Kenneth "Kenny" Vaith

VAITH KENNETH

Kenneth Joseph Vaith,81, of Lesterville passed away November 11, 2024 surrounded by his family after a short battle with lung cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, Friday, November 15, 2024 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with Rev. Darin Schmidt officiating.  Burial will be in the St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery, Lesterville, SD.  Visitations will be 5 to 7 PM, Thursday, November 14, 2024 at St. Wenceslaus Catholic Church, Tabor, SD with a Wake service at 7:00 PM.  Visitations will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.  The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD is assisting with the service details.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com .

Kenny was born in Yankton to Adolph and Lillian (Caba) Vaith on September 6th, 1943. He was baptized September 19, 1943 and confirmed on May 19, 1954 at St Wenceslaus Catholic Church. He graduated from Tabor High School in 1961. After graduation, Kenny joined the work force. He married Elaine Kortan on December 30th, 1963 in Tabor, SD. They recently celebrated their 60th Wedding Anniversary. Together they milked cows, raised crops and raised seven kids near Lesterville, SD. In 1983 Kenny went to work in town. He worked at the Lesterville Coop for 18 years until his retirement in January 2010.

Kenny enjoyed hunting, fishing and playing cards with friends. Most mornings were spent drinking coffee at the Coop with the Coffee Club. He was a member of St John’s the Baptist Catholic Church, Lesterville, SD. Kenny was a pillar of the Lesterville Community, in his younger years he was an active member of the Lesterville Community Club and Lesterville Athletic Association. At every home Broncs baseball game, he could be found in the crow’s nest.

Grandpa Kenny and Grandma Vaith put on many miles to attend track meets, rodeos, as well as baseball, volleyball, football, and basketball games that the grandkids were participating in. When not at sporting events he would be out driving to check on what the boys were up to, just to make sure they were doing it right.  He was the official supervisor at the butcher shop. Normally, he would get there just as the food was coming off the grill. Watching one of his grandkids drive the 5 generation 1940 H-International tractor through parades made him beam with pride. The highlight of his life was the many hunting trips to Hoover, SD with his sons, sons-in-law, grandsons, and “adopted” grandsons.

Kenny is survived by his wife, Elaine of Lesterville. Children: Bev & Bruce Ulmer, Yankton; Brian & Dawn Vaith, Scotland; Jeff & Susy Vaith, Lesterville; Brenda Edler & Chris Happe, Yankton; Dean & Jennifer Vaith, Menno; Corey & Jackie Vaith, Menno; and Nancy & Richard Hauck, Utica. Grandchildren: Logan Ulmer, Cody (TyAnn) Ulmer and Brad (Josy) Ulmer; Jason (Megan) Vaith and Josh (Katie) Vaith; Lindzie (Randy) Fuhrer and Kail Vaith; Tyler (Molly) Edler and Preslee Edler; Jacob (Amber Aardahl) Vaith, Ashton (fiancé Derek Wortman) Vaith, and Bridget Vaith; Mirik and Parker Vaith; Zane (Amaya Swanson) Hauck, Jack (Bianca Fischer) Hauck, and Ryder Hauck. Great-Grandchildren: Wrenyn, Duttyn, Karsyn and Kensley Ulmer; Noah and Emma Vaith; Elliot Fuhrer and Baby Fuhrer due May 2025; Avery and Whitley Edler.  Siblings: Dorothy Wurtz and Art (Charlene) Vaith. Along with a host of nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Adolph & Lillian; In-Laws, Albert Kortan, Eileen & David Kortan; Sister: JoAnn (Lester) Scherschligt; Grandsons: Nicholas Vaith and Colin Hauck; Granddaughter: Mallory Vaith; Nephews: Warren Scherschligt and Ronnie Wurtz.