Kenneth Redden

Kenneth Buell Redden was born Dec. 5, 1932, in Lindsay, S.D., to Everett and Arleta (Mackey) Redden in a small farmhouse of his grandparents. 

Ken was the eldest of 10 children.  He attended school at the Kirley School in rural Stanley County, S.D., through the eighth grade.

Ken worked for several neighboring farmers from the age of 13 until he entered the Army at the age of 18. He was stationed at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs, Colo., and then onto Germany where he worked as a mechanic.

Ken married Velva Lorraine Brehe Dec. 6, 1953, to which three children were born—Gayle, Kathy and Bernie. The family resided in the Pierre, S.D., area until July, 1968, when they moved to Brooten, Minn., and operated a small dairy farm.

Ken relocated to Hill City, S.D., in August 1976, and married Ronda (Allgier) Buchholz April 30, 1977, to which were born twins, Brian and Theresa (who died at birth) and Chuck.

Ken worked several jobs throughout his life from ranch hand, service station owner, farmer, snowmobile shop owner, weekend police office and truck driver, but his main love was working as a mechanic, which he excelled at.  Kenneth continued an active life up until the end, tinkering with mechanical jobs for friends and family, and helping put up hay with a dear friend through the summer of 2024.

Ken passed away suddenly at his home in Edgemont, S.D., on Thursday, March 13, 2025. He was 92. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Everett and Arleta Redden; brother, Lyle Redden; children, Gayle Skramstad; twins, Brian and Theresa; nephews, Lee Metcalf,  Kyle Redden and Robert Redden; and niece, Dawn Pierce.

Ken is survived by his daughter, Kathy (Roger) Eckert of Rockerville, S.D.;  sons, Bernie (Dianne) Redden of Fairfax, Iowa, and Chuck Redden of Hill City; brothers and sisters, Mildred Clark of Casper Wyo., Virgil (Geri) Redden of Westchester, Ohio, Donald Redden of Rapid City, S.D., Audrey Smith of Norton, Texas, Alice Pierce of Superior, Ariz., Betty (Jim) Metcalf of Kamiah, Idaho, Roger (Dawn) Redden of Faulkton, S.D., and Gary Redden of Edgemont; 12 grandchildren; and 27 great-grandchildren.

Services for Kenneth will be held Thursday, May 15, at 1 p.m. at the United Church in Edgemont with interment at 10 a.m. Friday, May 16, at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Arrangements have been made in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Hot Springs, S.D.