Kenneth Teller, age 82 of Belle Fourche, and formerly of the Dupree and Faith area, died Wednesday, May 1, 2024 at the Rolling Hills Healthcare Center in Belle Fourche.
The funeral service was held 11 am Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at the Faith Community Center, with Pastor Chuck Aurand officiating. Two evening visitations were held. Monday, May 6th, a visitation wase held at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche. Tuesday, May 7th, a visitation was held at the Faith Area Memorial Chapel in Faith. Interment took place in the Faith Cemetery.
Kenneth Ernest Teller was born January 13, 1942 in Dupree, SD. He was the son of Lloyd and Bernice (VanSickle) Teller. Ken grew up on the family ranch near Faith and Dupree, attended country school near Dupree until 8th grade, and graduated from the Dupree High School in 1960. Ken had a desire to be a school teacher, but after attending Black Hills Teacher’s college for 1 ½ years, he changed his mind. Soon after he became a bricklayer and worked in the Sturgis area. Ken also worked at the sugar beet factory in Belle Fourche. In 1963 he returned home to Faith/Dupree to help his father ranch, and shortly after he became owner and operator of Ken’s Café in Dupree. In 1970 he took over the farm and ranch operation. Ken was united in marriage to Donna Traxler in 1970, at Sturgis. To this union 3 children were born: Kimberly, Brian, and Cody. Following their marriage Ken and Donna continued to farm and ranch, and in 2018 they retired to Belle Fourche.
For many years, Ken oversaw the livestock during the Faith Stock Show. He also served as Vice President and President. He also served on the board for Moreau Grand Electric as well as the ASCS office for several years. Ken will be remembered for his sense of humor. He always enjoyed a simple prank to get reactions out of his friends – and especially his wife and kids. Memories were made Indian leg wrestling with the kids, and he loved dancing. He also loved to watch boxing on the television, and oftentimes he would be seen boxing in the living room, imitating the boxing action that he was viewing on tv. He liked board games and card games, and spending time with family. Ken will be greatly missed.
Ken is survived by his wife Donna of Belle Fourche; children, Kimberly (Ben) Bachman of Faith, Brian (Lori) Teller of Buffalo, Cody (Ashley) Teller of Phillps WI; 10 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren; sister, Gloria (Jim) English of Spearfish; and sister-in-law, K.J. Teller of Hermosa. He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Stanley Teller, Marcella Kissack, Doris Frankfurth, Jerry Teller; and nieces and nephew, Jody Teller, Hoss and Cindy Frankfurth.