Kenneth Mitchell Smykle
August 13, 1929 ~ April 23, 2013
Kenneth M. Smykle, 83, Valley Springs, died Tuesday, April 23, 2013, at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls from the effects of Dementia and Lymphoidema.
Visitation will begin at 4pm, Friday, April 26, 2013, at Heartland Funeral Home, with family present from 6:30 to 8pm. Funeral services will begin at 1:30pm, Saturday, April 27, at Heartland Funeral Home with Pastor Richard Gilman officiating. Interment at Beaver Valley Church South Cemetery with full Military Rites will follow.
Kenneth M. Smykle was born August 13, 1929 in Sioux Falls to Art and Dena (Iwerks) Smykle. Along with two sisters, he was raised and educated in Sioux Falls through his sophomore year before he hopped a train and went to Idaho to work in the Forestry Service. In 1947, Ken enlisted in the military to serve in Korea; both in the National Guard and then the Army. Upon his discharge in 1951, he returned to Sioux Falls to work for John Morrell where he worked for 36 years as a meat cutter. Back in 1959, Ken married his sweetheart, Joyce Schnackenbereg in Pipestone MN. They moved to a farm near Chancellor for a while before the family returned to Brandon for 24 years. In 1992, Ken and Joyce purchased and moved to the acreage south of Beaver Valley Church where they still reside. Ken retired at the age of 56 and came home to become the family daycare to grandchildren and his mother-in-law.
Throughout his life, Ken never forgot his patriotic service and duty and was very proud of it. He joined the Sioux Falls VFW and then transferred to Brandon later. He served as the Post Commander and the Quartermaster for Brandon. He also served as the District 2 Commander for SD.
Most of all, Ken enjoyed his family. They spent many weekends together camping with friends from Morrells’ or on hunting trips together. He loved to hunt antelope, deer and pheasant with the boys. He also would bleed blue and orange for the Chicago Bears and cheered on only the Fords of Davey Allison and “Awesome Bill from Dawsonville” Bill Elliott in the Nascar races.
Ken is survived by his wife, Joyce; five children, Clay (Michele) Smykle, Brandon, Deb (Curt) Jasper, Oak Grove, MN, Greg (Yvonne) Smykle, Sioux Falls, Mark (Mindy) Smykle, Akron, IA, and Linda (Joel) Hanson, Valley Springs; twelve grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and one sister, Donna Smelser, Sioux Falls.
Ken was preceded in death by his parents; one son, Troy; one sister, Lillian and two infant children Michael and Kimberley.
So sorry for your loss, Joyce. May God grant you peace and comfort at this sad time.
So sorry to hear of your loss. Prayers to the whole family for comfort during this time.
Joyce and family. I was so saddened to hear about Ken. Two short months ago, when I saw him, he had that twinkle in his eye and a wink to acknowledge you. Joyce, I can’t imagine what you are going through but know I am thinking of you. To all the children, two losses in such a short period of time, is hard to comprehend and you will always be in my prayers. My sincerest sympathy to you all.