Russell Kinzer

Funeral services for Russell Kinzer were held on April 23, 2022, at 10:00 a.m. at the Berean Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor Glenn Johnson and Pastor Don Letellier officiating.

Brandon and Lindsay Kinzer were in charge of registration, and flower attendants were Heather Roberts, Amber Young, Naomi Hofman, Jessica Popke, Megan Kinzer, Alexandra Colle, and Carli Kinzer. Honorary flower attendant was Connie Bicek.

Casket bearers were Colby Kinzer, Quinland Beaird, Martin Beaird, Matthew Kinzer, Seth Lenker, Jackson Kinzer, Brady Johnson, and Craig Kinzer, Jr. Honorary casket bearers were Terrance Kinzer, Anthony Kinzer, Nathan Kinzer, Lian Beaird, Will Lenker, and Stanley Bicek.

Interment was in the Colome City Cemetery in Colome, SD, with military honors conferred by the Colome Legion and the National Honors Team. Kotrba-Smith Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Russell was born at the farmhouse south of Colome on September 3, 1933, to Joseph (Vern) and Ernestine (Delfs) Kinzer. In his early years, he enjoyed spearfishing (with pitchforks), playing baseball, and hunting around the family homestead on the Buttes along with his dad and brothers.

He boarded with his grandparents in Colome while attending high school, where his enthusiasm for sports broadened to include basketball and football. High school is also where he met Marjorie. During his high school years, he was fond of attending youth group where he placed his trust in Jesus Christ as his Savior. Russell graduated from Colome High School in 1951.

On March 1, 1953, Russell was united in marriage to Marjorie Farris. Through this union, seven children were born. After living in Lake Andes and Kimball where he worked in and eventually managed a Buche’s grocery store, he moved the family in 1959 to the Kinzer farm, making him a third generation farmer. Here he raised various types of livestock, farmed, and managed a dairy.

During his lifetime, he served on the Highland District #57 School Board, Colome School Board, and Stewart Township Board. Russell also served as Corporal in the South Dakota Army National Guard.

Russell enjoyed coaching, watching his children and grandchildren play sports, and the occasional weekend golf game. He found pleasure in gathering to play cards with family and friends. His church family was also important to him, and he faithfully attended services on Sundays.

Russell Robert Kinzer, 88, of Colome, SD, passed away on Sunday, April 17, 2022, at the Avera Rosebud Country Care Center in Gregory after a brief struggle with cancer.

He is survived by seven children: David and Kathy (Hermsen) Kinzer of Tea, SD; Vickie Fastnacht of Olathe, KS; Cindy and Ken Lenker of Tulsa, OK; Debbie and Glenn Johnson of Alliance, NE; Mark Kinzer of Colome; Tammy and Scot Beaird of Olathe, KS; and Craig Kinzer of Las Vegas, NV; 26 grandchildren and 42 great-grandchildren; two sisters Jeannine Johnson of Des Moines, IA, and Diana Syfie of Ainsworth, NE; and brother, Darol Kinzer of San Diego, CA; sister-in-law Carolyn Musilek; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Marjorie (Farris); his parents and parents-in-law, Martin and Mattie (Hopkins) Farris; his brother and sister-in-law, Ronald and Evelyn (Simons) Kinzer; his brother-in-law, Walt Johnson; his sister and brother-in-law, Leila and Kenneth Adams; his sister-in-law, Erna (Kahler) Kinzer; his brother-in-law, George Syfie; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Arold and Rosie Farris; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leslie and Fern Farris; and his brother-in-law, Lyle Musilek.