Kenneth R. Oestreich, age 86, of Holabird, SD, passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2024 at his home. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 at Welter Funeral Home with burial to follow at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery in Huron. Military Honors will be conducted by the South Dakota Army National Guard Honors Team. Visitation with family present, will be two hour prior to the service on Tuesday morning.

View Kenneth's Memorial Folder

Kenneth was born to Rudolph Oestreich and Ruth Haugen on July 3, 1938 in Virgil, South Dakota. He earned a GED before joining the army in 1959. He retired as a Sergeant First Class from the United States Army in 1976. Ken was a hard worker with a strong work ethic who served his country on active duty for 20 years, including two tours in Vietnam.

Ken's favorite pastimes include studying family genealogy and playing billiards. In his younger days, Ken enjoyed hunting with family and friends. Most of all, Ken lived for his involvement in the VFW, American Legion, and especially the Forty and Eight. During his tenure serving in the Forty and Eight, Ken held various titles and positions within the organization. Most memorably, Ken served as the Nationale Sous Director Boxcar, Grand Chef de Gare du SD, Grand Commissaire Intendant, and Grand Directeur of the 300 Club. Ken had also served as the Voiture 522 Chef de Gare and Chef de Train (Train Master) of the locale Loci and the majority of the other voiture locale positions at one time or another.  Friends who knew Ken through the Forty and Eight knew him as highly responsible, a good leader, and stated that he knew the Box Car better than the majority.

Ken is survived by his son Kenneth (Rita) Oestreich of Holabird, SD; daughter Patricia (Dan) Johnson of Klamath Falls, OR; son Ralph (Margaret) Oestreich of Borne, TX; stepdaughter Paulette (Dan) Herman of Eugene, OR; stepson Ronnie (Debbie) Heath of Michigan; and stepson Norman Heath of Huron, SD; brother Rudy Oestreich of Hot Springs, SD; sister Carol Swearingen of Park City, MT; and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

Ken is preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Howard Oestreich Sr., Vernon Oestreich, and Harold Oestreich; his sisters Elaine Schraeder and Phyllis Wilcox; his wives Lucie Oestreich and Gail Oestreich; and stepson Mickey Weber.