Kenneth Kirkeby

Kenneth Lloyd Kirkeby, 84, of Rapid City passed away peacefully on November 15, 2020 surrounded by his wife and children.

Ken was born on February 29, 1936 to Hank and Mildred Kirkeby in Paradise, ND. He was the oldest of four children.

Ken was an entrepreneur from the start. At the age of 16, he joined a combining crew and left for Oklahoma. When he returned to McIntosh his family had moved. He hitchhiked to town and was reunited with his family. Ken graduated from Timber Lake High School in 1954 and then married Helen Kraft. Together they welcomed five children: Randy, Beth, Pam, Mark, and Lynette.

With a loan from his father-in-law he purchased Kirk’s Giant Junction All American Standard Station (home of the $2.00 car wash) in Eagle Butte. Larry Lewis convinced Ken to move to Rapid City and join him in the real estate business. They established Lewis and Kirkeby Real Estate in 1963. Larry was the details and numbers guy and Ken was the PR man. In their first year in business, the firm grossed $1.5 million in real estate transactions. Several years later, Ken brought Pat Hall into the partnership. They eventually purchased the franchise Coldwell-Banker.

Ken married Sharon Gikling in 1964 and they welcomed two children, Michael and Sheree.

In 1978, Ken and partners purchased the iconic Alex Johnson Hotel and undertook a major renovation.

Ken flourished in an era where business was done with a handshake and your word was stronger than any contract. Ken served on many non-profit boards including Black Hills Stock Show Foundation, Rapid City Defense Housing, Rapid City Economic Development, Rapid City Diplomats, Rapid City Chamber of Commerce, Youth and Family Services, Black Hills Home Builders, Black Hills Board of Realtors, South Dakota Association of Realtors, National Association of Realtors, and the Central States Fair. Some of his awards included the George Award, Black Hills Stock Show Silver Spur Award, Diplomat of the Year, Top Producing Realtor of the Year, and the Granite Award.

He loved horses, rodeos, and the spirit of the cowboy camaraderie. His time with the Western South Dakota Buckaroos, Custer Trail Riders, and the U.S. Marshal’s Posse were among some of his fondest memories and where many of his longest standing friendships were made. He was known by his friends for having the cleanest tack and horses, even for taking his horses through the car wash.

In 2000, he married Vicky Overby. They traveled all over the world.

Even in the end as he was battling Alzheimer’s, he was trying to sell houses, organizing parties, and arranging meetings with his fellow residents at the Good Samaritan home.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Mildred Kirkeby; his father-in-law, Gerhardt Overby; and great-granddaughter, Madyson Elon Barbee.

Survivors include his wife, Vicky Kirkeby of Rapid City; children: Randal (Valarie) Kirkeby of Eagle River, AK, Elizabeth (Ted) Peiffer of Rapid City, Pamela (Keith) Carlyle of Rapid City, Mark (Sheryl) Kirkeby of Rapid City, Lynette Kirkeby and Brent Larson of Deadwood, Michael (Roxanne) Kirkeby of Rapid City, Sheree (Beau) Hartwell of Scottsdale, AZ; two stepchildren Jill (Shawn) Lipp of Rapid City and Donovan Derrek of Rapid City; siblings, Lenny (Carol) Kirkeby of LaCanada, CA, Larry Kirkeby of Haughton, LA, and Susan (Frank) Beebe of Vorhees, NJ; 23 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, private family services were held on November 20, 2020 at Calvary Lutheran Church. A Celebration of Life is pending spring/summer 2021.

A memorial has been established for the Ken Kirkeby Scholarship Fund with the Western South Dakota Buckaroos, Leadership Rapid City, and The Good Samaritan of New Underwood.

Condolences may be sent to 2600 Byrnwood Drive, Rapid City, SD 57702.

Kirk Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.