Funeral services for Kenneth Milton Erdahl, 91 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Thursday, June 1, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at the Grace Lutheran Church, Sisseton, SD with Rev. Suzanne Benidt and Rev. Aaron Deutsch officiating. Organists will be Estelle Pearson and Ollie Yost, with special music by Jenny Nelson, Rev. Aaron Deutsch and Pat Schubert.  Pallbearers are Curtis Dahl, Terry Deutsch, Bill Torness, Neal Nelson, John Rasmussen and Rick Haring.   Honorary Pallbearers are the Present and Past Staff of the Roberts County National Bank and Edgewood Vista staff. Burial will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, South Dakota with Military Honors by the Ft. Sisseton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post # 3342 and Otto-Quande Renville American Legion Post #50. Visitation will be Wednesday, May 31, 2017 from 2:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 P.M. Family will be present from 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. There will be visitation one hour prior to services at the church. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.

Kenneth Milton Erdahl, 91, died on Friday, May 26, 2017 at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Sisseton, SD. His wife, Bonnie, and family surrounded him with love as he passed, just as they did in life.

Ken was born to Enoch and Hannah (Lund) Erdahl on April 30, 1926. He was born inside his childhood home in Rosholt, SD where he later tackled his first leadership role: big brother to Wes, Arline and Neil. Ken's journey in faith began in baptism and continued through confirmation into adulthood at Bethania Lutheran Church. He attended Rosholt Public School and made lifelong memories playing basketball for the Rams before graduating in 1944.

Ken felt called to service throughout his life, which explains why he enlisted in the Navy at just 17 years old. He became Seaman First Class and served two years aboard the USS Tucson during World War II. His missions aboard the Tucson in support of the fight in the Pacific were sources of great pride and memories throughout Ken's life.

After his honorable discharge in 1946, Ken's journey home to Rosholt included a quick detour to St. Olaf College, in Northfield, MN. He'd spent his time away thinking about, and writing to, a particular woman whom he'd fallen in love with during a moonlight skate prior to his deployment. Bonnie Jean Kouba wasn't expecting a visit from a man in uniform, or the chaos that ensued in her dormitory, but Ken's surprise appearance left a lasting impression. The two were inseparable for the next 70+ years.

That fall, Ken attended Dakota Business College in Fargo, ND, After graduating in 1947, Ken began working for the State Bank of Alcester in Alcester, SD. With his career now underway, Ken proposed to Bonnie and they married on September 18, 1948 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD. Less than two years later they welcomed their first son, Larry Kent. In 1950, Ken went to work for Roberts County National Bank in Sisseton. He would go on to serve as a loan officer, cashier, insurance agent, director and vice president; and as his responsibilities grew, so did his family. Ten years into his time at the bank, Ken and Bonnie welcomed their second child, Jon Alan.

Ken took great pride in raising his sons to be well rounded, taking them on trips and fostering their interest in sports and music. Ken also led by example, making time to serve his community in many different ways. He was active at Grace Lutheran Church where he taught in the Bethel Series and served on the church council.  He was also on the Coteau des Prairie Hospital Board, the Tekakwitha Living Center Board and president of the local Kiwanis Club. Ken was also a Shriner and a Mason for more than 60 years.

Ken retired from the bank in 1991, but he remained on the Board of Directors and loved joining the staff for coffee and conversation up until the time of his death. After retirement, he and Bonnie also joined her father, Frank Kouba, on his annual winter trips to Fountain of the Sun Community in Mesa, AZ. In the more than 20 years that followed, he made lasting friendships, became involved in St. Peter Lutheran church and played countless rounds of golf.

Ken had many hobbies that continued to grow in retirement. In addition to traveling and golfing, Ken also loved bowling, hunting and fishing. He was always planning a new adventure and up for a new challenge; but his destinations, scores and trophies were always secondary to the friends, memories and tales he collected along the way.

By far, Ken's greatest passion was family, so he made it his greatest priority throughout his life. As he welcomed grandchildren and great grandchildren, they became an unending source of pride, smiles and stories. He documented visits and milestones with the detail of a banker and the eye of a photographer.

Throughout his life Ken believed in investing in the future, which is why he was always grabbing the dinner check, handing out 'gas money' and funding elaborate fireworks displays. In the process he filled stomachs, filled tanks, and filled the sky; but his real return on investment was a family that always gathered at the table, kept coming back and carried on a tradition.

Ken didn't just see the best in people; he made them see it too. Like the fisherman he was, he'd cast out a smile, hook you with a story and reel you in with a hug and a kiss.

Ken is survived by his wife of nearly 69 years, Bonnie; sons Larry (Elaine), Fertile, MN and Jon (Tracy), Loudon, NH; grandchildren Alicia (Cory) Schumacher, Edina, MN, Katie (Matthew) Kern, West Fargo, ND, Kent (Erin), Minneapolis, MN, Ranelle (Patrick) Block, Moorhead, MN, and Rebecca (Kyle) Iverson, Fargo, ND.  Great grandchildren August and Hugo Schumacher, Charlie Mae and Elin Kern, Evelyn, Oscar and Milo Block.  Also surviving are sister, Arline Judish, Sacramento, CA, and brothers Wesley (Marlys), Sisseton and Neil (Elvonne) of Fargo, ND; several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, Frank and Helen Kouba, one brother-in-law, Floyd Judish and nephew Dana Judish.

Memorials can be given to the Grace Lutheran Foundation, Edgewood Vista Assisted Living in Sisseton, Sisseton Library and the Sisseton American Legion Post #50.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the staff at Edgewood Vista Assisted Living for their vigilance in

caring for Ken, as well as the Prairie Lakes Hospice.