Kelson Michael Vaillancourt, age 21, passed away May 21, 2009, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, in the loving company of his family, after suffering injuries in a motor vehicle accident, of which he was a passenger.

His funeral mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 27, at Holy Trinity Catholic Parish.

Visitation will be Tuesday, May 26, from 1-8 p.m. at Welter Funeral Home with the family present from 5-8 p.m.; or Wednesday morning one hour prior to the mass at the church.

Kelson was born on September 3, 1987, to Dana and Mary Ellen (Swana) Vaillancourt in Troy, NY. He has lived in Belle Fourche, SD, Pierre, SD, Augusta, Maine, and Huron, SD, during which time he has developed many friendships and gathered many experiences.

Kelson graduated from Huron High School in 2006. He was a junior at South Dakota State University in Brookings studying Biology and Botany.

Kelson has had a long-time fascination and love for the outdoors. He greatly enjoyed his summer intern job with the United States Department of Fish & Wildlife Service, where he helped identify and count birds, plants, and educate the public on wildlife. Kelson was an avid reader and learned naturalist who enjoyed camping and hiking with his family, walking the family dog, bicycling, and particularly, gardening and horticulture.

He was an intelligent young man with a quick wit and a big, generous, loving heart that knew no limits. His kindness radiated through his huge smile and he extended his warm hand to people and animals alike. He was a hard worker and enjoyed keeping pet birds and propagating and growing plants and trees. He truly appreciated all of the little things life had to offer him and found joy out of the things most people pass without noticing. His scholarly knowledge in geography, natural science and artistic ability earned him awards including an art contest for the SD Discovery Centers wildlife calendar; National Geographic Geography Bee winner; Best Conservationist Award won at a Conservationist Camp in the southern Black Hills; Recipient of the SDSU Jackrabbit (Griffith Endowment) Scholarship.

One of his goals was to have his garden planted and trees.

Kelson leaves his father and mother: Dana Ronald and Mary Ellen (Swana) Vaillancourt, Huron; sister: Loren Brittaney Vaillancourt, Huron; paternal grandmother: Barbara C. Collette Vaillancourt of Millbury, MA; maternal grandfather, Michael R. Swana of Stow, MA; paternal uncles, aunts, and cousins: Gary and Judy Vaillancourt and cousin Luke Vaillancourt of Sutton, MA; Guy and Pat Vaillancourt and cousins Anna (Vaillancourt) Hall, Daniel Vaillancourt, and Maura Vaillancourt of Saco ME; maternal uncles, aunts, and cousins: Steven and Margaret Swana and cousins Jeffrey and Kristen Swana of Nashua NH; Michael C. Swana of Brookfield, MA; Susan C. Swana of Winter Harbor, ME; David and Tracey Swana and cousins Kalina and Anthony Swana of Littleton, MA.

Kelson was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother, Phyllis J. Swana; maternal aunt, Linda M. (Swana) Allard; and two paternal cousins, Micah and Samual. B. Vaillancourt. Kelson's paternal grandfather in Millbury, MA, Francis R. Vaillancourt, passed away early Saturday morning, May 23, 2009. He was very saddened to hear about Kelson's passing. We are very saddened to lose Dana's father at this time as well.