Kent (Ken) Keith Wintersteen Jr., 68
The times for Ken’s Homegoing Celebration are as follows: A family visitation will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Menno High School gymnasium. A celebration of life will be held on Sunday, Sept. 22 at 2 p.m., also at the gymnasium. As Ken was a no fancy frills kind of person, the family asks that people come as they are — jeans, boots, hats, caps. Ken admired a man who could wear a good hat and loved a bright colored shirt!
Kent (Ken) Keith Wintersteen Jr. entered peacefully into eternal glory in the presence of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in his home at Starvation Ranch north of Olivet, S.D., on the afternoon of 9 September 2024 after a two-year battle with Stage 4 kidney cancer. Ken was born in Yankton S.D., to Kent B. and Shirley Wintersteen on 30 September 1955. He grew up on a farm on the edge of Olivet with his three sisters and brother. He would often talk about the sheep, cattle and especially Arabian horses they had while growing up, travelling to far off states with his dad to deliver and show Kent Sr.’s Arabians, with Ken competing in numerous western style horse riding shows. Ken started grade school in Olivet and went there until the school closed after his seventh-grade year. Starting in eighth grade, he attended Menno Public School, Menno, and would graduate from there in the spring of 1973. After high school, Ken attended one year of college at South Dakota State University, but decided that it wasn’t really for him. He often spoke of his days working at the Adjustment Training Center in Mitchell, S.D., and how that was one of the best jobs he ever had. In the early 80s Ken bought and moved to his rural Olivet farm. Ken loved cattle, cows, horses and all things livestock.
Ken married his best friend and love of his life, Lynn Buehner on 13 August 1988 at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in rural Clayton, S.D. Together, they built an auction company, serving the local area’s needs with household and farm auctions for over 30 years in. In 1995 Ken and Lynn bought Menno Livestock Auction and worked there together and raised a family. Through the sale barn Ken met and befriended countless people, truly too numerous to mention, many of them becoming true best friends. Ken and Lynn operated Menno Livestock Auction together for 27 years until the end of December 2022.
Ken was a Christian. He attended the Olivet United Methodist Church (now Olivet Christian Church), his entire life. He was once asked about his legacy for a newspaper article, and said he really didn’t think he’d have one. Ken’s largest legacy will be the people he impacted for Christ. Dr. Paul David Tripp said there is no greater calling than to be a sharp tool in the hands of the Holy Spirit. Ken was indeed a sharp tool for the Kingdom of God. He loved being a travelling lay speaker and filling in for pastors at area churches for years. He truly loved sharing the goodness of God with others. Ken and Lynn also co-founded the Menno High School Fellowship of Christian Athlete’s huddle. Ken’s desire was that everyone come to saving faith in Jesus Christ.
Ken loved being a grandpa he would light up when his little Cora would come out for a visit. When he was still able, they loved going on Gator and tractor rides.
Lynn and Ken welcomed two children into this world: Evan (Ivory) and their daughter Cora and baby boy Wintersteen (due January 2025) of Olivet; and Ellie (Tyler Van Duysen) of Dante, S.D.
Ken is also loved and missed by all of his family and countless friends. His family has the comfort that only God can give, knowing that he is sick no more, knowing that goodbye is only a “see you soon.” They ask that instead of asking how they’re doing, that you share a story about Ken with them.
