Brent Lee Antonen
July 2, 1974 ~ September 10, 2026
Brent L. Antonen, 52, Sioux Falls, SD, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at the Dougherty Hospice House after a brief battle with cancer.
Visitation with family present will be 5:00 – 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Sioux Falls. Funeral Services will begin at 11 a.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2026, also at Holy Spirit Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery, Sioux Falls.
Brent Lee Antonen was born on July 2, 1974, in Estelline, SD, to Marvin and Joan (Rieck) Antonen. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity Lutheran Church in Arlington, SD. Growing up on the family farm, he helped with chores, drove tractors in the fields, and participated in 4-H, showing cattle and pigs. He also enjoyed playing whichever sport was in season. Brent graduated from Arlington High School in 1993. Brent recently said he wouldn’t change anything about his formative years.
Brent attended the University of Sioux Falls, where he met his wife, Kristina Benson. They married on September 18, 1999, and raised three children: Austin, McKenzie, and Jayden. Brent worked as a commercial real estate broker and recently opened his own company, Antonen Commercial Real Estate Services (ACRES).
Brent loved sports, especially anything related to Michael Jordan. He also enjoyed hunting, golfing, and watching his children play sports. He cherished traveling to Hawaii, taking Jayden on golfing trips, joining McKenzie on soccer trips, and attending deer camp with his sons. Every Wednesday, he looked forward to golfing with a special group of friends at Minnehaha Country Club.
Brent had many friends, each of whom held a special place in his life. His warmth, generosity, and genuine interest in others made him deeply loved and respected by all who knew him.
Brent will be deeply missed by his wife, Kristina; children, Austin, McKenzie, and Jayden; his parents, Marv and Joan Antonen; one brother, Nathan (Lauren) Antonen; two nephews, Miles and Spencer Antonen; one niece, Morgan Bjorklund; father-in-law, Dr. Gail Benson; one brother-in-law, Jason Benson; and many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.
I am so sorry to read of Brent’s passing; I worked with him years ago on some commercial property. He was so nice to work with and spoke so highly of his family. My deepest sympathy goes out to all of you.
We are so very sorry and heartbroken for Kristina and the family. You have all been in our thoughts and prayers.
Oh, Brent, I wish we could be with your family and friends at your funeral. Unfortunately neither Larry or I have the health to travel. We have so many good memories of you and your family. Starting with 4H and you showing pigs. Your mom and I were watching and I commented that it would be nice to get a purple ribbon. Your mom said she hoped you’d get a blue. She said blue showed they were good pigs and purple meant you’d go to the fair and she didn’t want that. We watched you play sports in high school and you became a good friend to our 2 exchange students. Finally a day before graduation the seniors would have a party and they wanted you to go. You sat in our living room and you told “D” you weren’t going. Your exact words were, “I made it all through school without any problems with my parents and I’m not going to start now.” Rest in peace, Brent
Brent was one of my favorite players when I coached at SFC, now USF. I used to call him Sniper due to his long range 3-point shots. I recall him showing up to practice wearing these ugly blue shoes. Reading about his love for Michael Jordan, I would guess they were Air Jordans. I commented that he is lucky he could shoot so well because those shoes made him look slow. LOL. I wish I would have reconnected with him more than the yearly Facebook birthday wishes and other short exchanges. I hope he knew that he was part of a very special time in my life. My sympathies to his family and many, many friends.
Brent was simply a good fellow who I enjoyed chatting with on occasion. Many years separated us, but we farm kids have a natural kinship it seems. God Bless Kristina and the kids.