August 24, 1942 – October 26, 2020
A private family Celebration of Life for Kenneth “Kenny” M. Maxon, 78, of Little Eagle was held Monday, November 2, 2020 at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in McLaughlin. Public grave side services will be June 19, 2021 at the Maxon Family Ranch at 1:00 p.m. MT.
Kenny passed away Monday afternoon, October 26, 2020. He left the world doing what he loved best, working his cattle at the Maxon Ranch.
Kenneth Maxon was born August 24, 1942 at the Mobridge Hospital. He was the 10th of Laurence “Lornie” and Mary (Ament) Maxon’s children. He attended McLaughlin School and graduated in 1960. He played football and basketball; but his loved sport was rodeo.
Ken was born to be a cowboy. He lived on the Maxon Ranch and worked cattle most of his life, first partnering with his dad and then taking over the business when his father Lornie passed away. His best ranch hands were his children. There was always the early morning call of “Boots and saddles, kids.”
Ken was a well-established provider of bucking bulls. He worked rodeos all over South Dakota and some in North Dakota. His pride was having his bull Lucky in the Professional Bull Riding circuit. Kenny was also one of the crew that brought back the Major James McLaughlin Stampede. He provided “Snuffy” bulls and his young bulls for the up and coming Young Guns bull riders, many of whom are now on the PBR circuit.
Kenny’s five daughters participated in rodeo and loved traveling with their dad. His daughter Tawny was part of the later rodeo years and helped him travel the road with the bulls.
Kenny loved spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them how to ride horse, work cows, hunting and the basics of ranch life.
Kenny is survived by his children— Brek (Kimberly) and their children Ariel, Logan, Mitchell, Rachel and Sophia of Bismarck, ND; Jackie (Mike) Talley and children Shawn (Megan), Brady (Sierra), Kiana, Camden, Kaelynn and MacKenzee of Rapid City; Robin Maxon of Wenatchee WA and children Jayde and Luke; Pepper (Chris) Huxoll of LaGrande, OR and children Maxon and Cooper; Brooklynn (Waldo Pacheo) Maxon of Mandan, ND and children Breana, Darius, Dante and Lucia; and Tawny Maxon; numerous nieces and nephews; siblings Mel and Delaine Maxon of Lemmon, George Maxon of Ft. Bridger, WY, Marilyn (Maxon) Zeman of Spokane, WA, and Kate Maxon of Lillooet, BC, Canada.
Kenny had a very special relationship with his two great-grandsons, Easton and Porter Maxon. He enjoyed spending time and teaching Easton how to be a cowboy.
Ken had many friends in the livestock and rodeo world; his very close friend and fellow stock contractor was Pete Longbrake. They put on many SD rodeos and stock shows over the past 30 plus years.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Lornie and Mary Maxon; brothers Lyle, Bud, Dick, Frank and Charles; and sisters Lois (Maxon) Ehlers and Arlene (Maxon) Baumeister.