January 30, 1945 – January 11, 2024
Kenneth Lee Anderson, 78, Piedmont, passed away January 11, 2024 at Fort Meade VA Medical Center at Ft. Meade.
Kenny was born to Jim and Esther Anderson on January 30, 1945. He grew up around Eagle Butte, farming with his family. He attended Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School and joined the Army in February of 1965. He was stationed at Ft. Gordon, GA, where he was trained as a radio operator. After completing his telecommunications training, Kenny was stationed in Germany. Upon returning from the service in 1968, he would find his calling traveling the country driving a semi.
While working in Memphis, TN, Kenny met the love of his life, and lifelong partner Geneann, and they were married in 1972. Kenny and Geneann started a family back in Eagle Butte, with son Andy and daughter Jennifer. While in Eagle Butte, Kenny spent his summers working the land around Parade, and Dupree, as well as helping his brotherin-law and nephews farming. When winter arrived and harvest was done Kenny would hit the road, as an owner-operator. Kenny drove millions of miles for companies such as Dakota Express, East/West Motor Express, and finished his career hauling cement from Rapid City to North Dakota. Kenny took great pride in his trucks and always drove the finest semis from International, Peterbilt, and Kenworth. Upon “retirement” Kenny chose to relax, by working. Whether it was going back to Eagle Butte and Ridgeview to farm with Vernie, Grant, and VL or working on his lawnmower. He tried to stay busy all the time. The only real retirement that Kenny enjoyed was sitting in the garage listening to the radio.
Kenny took great pride in being a father, a husband, and a grandfather. He would always take Andy with him trucking whenever he could, and he would always try to make Jennifer’s rodeos. He was adamant on giving his kids the world, and everything that he did not have growing up. Christmas was always a special time, as Kenny and Geneann would stay up for hours at night to make sure the kids and grandkids had the best Christmas. Kenny relished his role of “Papa” to his granddaughter, Kennedy, and his two grandsons, Wyatt and Payton. The most important thing to Kenny was his family.
Kenny is survived by his wife of 51 years Geneann; son Andy (Melody) of Casa Grande, AZ; daughter Jennifer Gaskins (Bill) of Miles City, MT; sisters Joanne (Avin) Martin and Joyce Peterson; grandchildren Kennedy (Jace) Tanner of Chandler, AZ, Wyatt Gaskins of Stephenville, TX, Payton Gaskins of Clarendon, TX; and Godson, Ryan Martin of Aberdeen; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
Kenny was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Esther; his in-laws, Henry and Gene Reynolds; brother, Leonard (Muriel) Anderson; sisters Maxine (Kelly) Bongard, Norma (Lester) Hertel, and Beverly (Wes) Steele; and brother-in-law, Buddy Reynolds.
Services were held at Kinkade Funeral Chapel on January 18 with inurnment with honors at Black Hills National Cemetery.