September 22, 1974 – January 10, 2023
Kent William Baumberger, 48, of Miller, passed away on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, after an extended illness.
Visitation will be 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Sunday, January 29, 2023, followed by a 5:00 p.m. prayer service, all at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miller. A private family burial will be at McIntosh City Cemetery at a later date.
Kent was born on September 22, 1974 at Philip to Rod and Sharon (Wagner) Baumberger. He graduated from Sturgis Brown High School and South Dakota State University with a Degree in Range Management.
Kent worked for the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service for 26 years in Pierre, Webster, McIntosh, Timber Lake and Miller. He provided technical assistance to farmers and ranchers and assisted them with applying conservation on the land.
He was a member of the Society for Range Management, SD Section Society for Range Management, Naja Shrine (lifetime member), Naja Cowboys, Yeldez Drovers, SD Grassland Coalition, Lemmon Masonic Lodge AF&AM (lifetime member), and Trinity Lutheran Church. He was very active in the Miller 4-H shooting sports and Miller community youth activities.
As a youth he was active in 4-H, participating in local, state, and national range judging contests. He was a member of the 4-H team which placed first in the National Range and Pasture Contest in Oklahoma. He was active in the SDSU Range Club and Plant Identification contest and participated in four National Plant Identification contests. He also assisted with instruction and participated in numerous South Dakota Range Camps, South Dakota Rangeland Days, and Ag Lenders Range School.
Kent enjoyed team-penning with his dad, brother, and brother-in-law, winning numerous saddles and belt buckles.
He was known to always have a smile on his face.
He loved following and attending all of his children’s events. He was very proud of their accomplishments.
Kent is survived by his children, Faith and Pierce Baumberger of Miller; his parents, Rod and Sharon of Sturgis; sister Karla (Lee) and family of Lakewood, CO; brother Jeff (Lisa) and family of Billings, MT; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his paternal and maternal grandparents.
Reck Funeral Home of Miller is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent directly to Hand County 4-H shooting sports, 415 W. 1st Ave #105, Miller, SD 57362 or SDSRM Range Endowment, Attn: Jeff Vanderwilt, 25823 East Enemy Creek, Mitchell, SD 57301.