Kenneth E. Schmuck
Kenneth E. Schmuck died peacefully among family and the caring hospice staff at the VA Hospital in Sioux Falls on January 25, 2025. He was 95 years old. His family will be present to greet friends for visitation on Sunday, February 2, 2025 from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM at George Boom Funeral Home & On-Site Crematory in Sioux Falls. His funeral service will be 11:00 AM on Monday, February 3, 2025 at Zion Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, SD with burial and military honors to follow at Hills of Rest Cemetery in Sioux Falls.
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Ken was born in Freeman, South Dakota on June 13, 1929 to Ernest and Martha Schmuck. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul’s Lutheran church in Freeman. He attended St. Paul’s Lutheran School through the 8th grade and graduated from Freeman High School in 1947. He was involved in high school basketball, baseball, band, chorus, and boy’s glee club.
Ken attended Augustana College, Sioux Falls, receiving a BA degree in chemistry. He played on the Augustana basketball and baseball teams. He graduated in 1951 and enlisted in the US Air Force, serving four years: two years at Chanute Air Force Base in Illinois and two years at a dental lab in Okinawa, Japan.
Upon leaving the Air Force, he was accepted to Marquette Dental School in Milwaukee, WI. He graduated with honors and was elected to Omicron Kappa Upsilon National Honor Fraternity. Ken began his general dental practice in Sioux Falls in 1959. He had a private practice for 35 years before retiring. He served on the Task Force for getting fluoride into the water in the State of South Dakota. He also served as the dentist for the Head Start Program in Sioux Falls for 3 years. He was an active member of the American Dental Association and past president of the Southeastern South Dakota Dental Association. He was dedicated to his patients and took an active interest in their lives.
For most of his life he was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls where he met and married his future wife, Judith Sonnichsen, in 1960. Over the years, he served as president of the congregation and elder, bowled on the church team, and started Zion’s Foundation, serving as president for several years.
Ken and Judy’s marriage was blessed with four children and he spent much time involved in their growing up activities. He was a Bantam League Baseball coach, an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman: loving to spend time in his second home in the Black Hills. Dixieland and Big Band music were a big part part of life; family vacations in the car always included the tape deck running constantly at loud volume.
He was a huge Green Bay Packers, New York Yankees, Augustana Vikings, and Marquette Golden Eagles fan. He never wanted to miss a single game if he could help it, and could often be found watching two games at once in his room at the VA. He enjoyed woodworking and crafted much furniture and décor over the course of his long life.
He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Roger.
Having enjoyed his life are wife of 64 years, Judith; daughter, Robyn – Sioux Falls; Twin sons: Tobin (Leo Niva) – New York City, and Terry (Stefanie Davis) - Kirkwood, MO; daughter, Jaymee Haefner (Greg Johnson) – Corinth, Texas; 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren; and his sister Corrine Handel – Freeman; many other relatives and friends.
In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to Zion Lutheran Church, Zion Lutheran Foundation, Sioux Falls Lutheran School or the Sioux Falls VA Voluntary Service.