Ken Koball, Sioux Falls, SD, died July 5, 2007, at Sanford / USD Medical Center. He was 81.

Kendall Karl Koball was born March 17, 1926 in Hartford, South Dakota, to Carl and Alvina (Eichstedt) Koball. As a boy he worked with his father and grandfather at Koball & Son Blacksmith Shop. When fighting in World War II grew grim, a 17-year-old Ken joined the United States Marine Corps. He served in combat in the South Pacific, then attended and graduated from Northwestern University, Evanston, Ill. He completed his professional training at Worsham College of Mortuary Science, Chicago.

Returning to Sioux Falls, Ken married Alta Starks. The couple and their five sons enjoyed camping, traveling, hunting, and fishing. In the late 1960s, they traveled together on an extended trip through Central America, where the children learned first-hand about diverse cultures and the global values of humanity. Ken and Alta made sure their home was a learning environment. In the 1970s, the family adopted and raised a mountain lion. The Koball home was always open to neighborhood children and friends who often grew to view it as their second home as well.

In June 1977, he married Terry Thompson. Kenny had an unparalleled love and zest for life and considered each living day a direct gift from God. Together with Terry, the couple took joy in entertaining friends and family. Ken's love of the outdoors led him to purchase a fishing lodge in the far north of Manitoba, Canada after visiting the area many times. This place became one of relaxed magic for the family and their father. 'The fishing, for both walleye and lake trout, was fantastic. The lodge overlooked the lake, and at sundown it created one of the finest views you could imagine,' remembers one of his sons. Terry preceded him in death on September 21, 2002.

Among his passions, his life-long career as a funeral director at Miller Funeral Home was second only to his family. Ken began work for the founders of the business, L.D. Miller and Glen Minor and he became a partner in 1954. With original partners Al Iverson, Roger Nordstrom, Roe Eidesness and later Kent Morstad and Lyle McLeod, Ken helped Miller Funeral Home grow to become the largest business of its kind in South Dakota. He retired in the 1990s after serving as director and manager for several decades. He would never pass anyone in need without stopping to help.

Following his retirement, Ken and Terry continued traveling the globe. He made a decision to be baptized in the Sea of Galilee, a deeply moving experience for him, while visiting Israel in 1993. Active in countless service clubs, civic and military groups, and community organizations, Ken also served on national boards of directors in his chosen profession. He took pride in his membership at First Baptist Church, Sioux Falls. Ken personified kindness and his appreciation for those he loved was deep. Over the years, countless friends and associates would approach the family to tell tales of how Ken helped them financially, emotionally, and spiritually. Ken had a humorous side, too, and would not pass on a chance to don a goofy hat or make a kooky facial expression to lift someone's spirit. That spontaneity was part of his charm.

From Depression Era child blacksmith to polished funeral director, Ken's life indeed was charmed. While father, husband, and friend, he flew planes, sailed boats, hiked rough forests and explored the world. Those lucky enough to know him will never forget his sparkling blue eyes that saw so much, and they'll always remember his warm, steady smile.

Grateful for having shared his life are his sons: Keith and his wife, Jane, Blackhawk, SD; Curt and his wife, Carol, Sioux Falls, Kal and his wife, Shirley, Sioux Falls, Karl and his wife, Jenelle, Sioux Falls, and Craig and Chris Koball, Seattle; former wife, Alta, Sioux Falls, SD; stepchildren, Ann Bryant, Lake Tahoe, CA; Dan Thompson and his wife, Sue, Sioux Falls, and David Thomson; 14 grandchildren: Kelly, Kyle, Matthew, Taryn, Christin, Kenan, Justin, Zach, Andrew, Korra, Sophie, Christopher, John and Jess; five great-grandchildren: Carson, Ethan, Kyra, Mary Hannah and Madylyn; two sisters, Marcella Robbins, Joplin, MO, and Mary Englert, Fullerton, CA, and many nieces and nephews. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, July 10, 2007, at First Baptist Church, 1401 S. Covell Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD. Interment will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. Visitation begins at 9:00 am Monday.