Kenneth Gene Bennett, 65, of Sioux Falls, and formerly of Woonsocket, died on June 8, 2017, following complications during liver transplant surgery.
A memorial service was held Wednesday, June 21, at Miller Funeral Home Southside Chapel in Sioux Falls. Following the service, there was a celebration of his life at C.J. Calloway’s in Sioux Falls.
The family requests that memorials be given to the Woonsocket Fire Department.
Kenny was born May 14, 1952. He grew up on a farm near Woonsocket and attended country school until the sixth grade. He graduated from Woonsocket High School in 1970. After working several years in road construction, Kenny spent the next 38 years employed with the South Dakota Department of Transportation, both in Woonsocket and Sioux Falls. He made many lifelong friends at the DOT and retired in June 2016.
For 19 years, Kenny shared his life with his beloved wife, Cheryl. She was his best friend, and they loved spending time with their grandson, Judd, and their nephews, Adam and Nathan. They also enjoyed vacationing along the shores of Lake Superior and in the Black Hills.
Kenny considered his most important job was being the proud father of two daughters, Jody and Tracy, who treasure the nuggets of wisdom he shared with them.
He had a special place in his heart for his hometown of Woonsocket. While living there, he served as a volunteer fireman for the Wide Awake Hose Company fire department, and was an avid golfer at the Pony Hills Country Club.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Cheryl Bennett; daughters, Jody Bennett and Tracy Bennett; one grandson; brother, Jack (Ruth) Bennett; sister, Sandy (Rich) Schreiner; sister-in-law, Linda Heiliger; mother of his children, Georgia Bennett; and his golf buddies.
He was preceded in death by is mother, Della Larson; father, Clarence Larson; brother, Terry Lindley; sister, Karen Skinner; former father-in-law, Douglas Strand; and his faithful dog, Bugsy.