James Kiefer

James Kiefer, age 80, of Milbank, passed away on December 25, 2020, at Milbank Area Hospital - Avera Health.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, December 29, at 1:00 p.m. at Living Word Lutheran Church in Milbank. Visitation will be held on Monday, December 28, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home. Rev. Kent Groethe will officiate, and interment will be at Milbank City Cemetery.

While maintaining social distancing guidelines, we are now able to gather for visitations and services. The use of face masks by attendees is required, and we will continue taking the necessary steps to keep our facility clean. For those who prefer or require continued precautions, webcasting and/or livestreaming will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

James Allen Kiefer was born on July 6, 1940, in Breckenridge, MN, to Harry and Denna (Ochalla) Kiefer. He grew up on a farm near Cayuga, ND, and attended Cayuga Area Schools. Jim graduated from Cayuga High School with the Class of 1958.

On July 1, 1960, Jim was united in marriage with Karen Stenson in Mason City, IA. Together, they had two daughters: Jayne and Ann. Jim and his young family moved several times as he worked with a road construction crew that built the interstate highway. In 1971, the family moved to Milbank so Jim could assist with the construction of the Big Stone Power Plant. At that time, Jim and Karen’s eldest daughter started school so they made their permanent home in the Milbank area.

Jim was a hard-working man. He worked at International, Case IH, and John Deere dealerships as well as an independent construction contractor until his retirement in 2007.

In his free time, Jim enjoyed playing cards, having coffee with his friends, and attending activities for his children and grandchildren. He was a member of the Lions Club and a charter member of Living Word Lutheran Church where he served on the church council.

Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 60 years, Karen Kiefer of Milbank, SD; daughters: Jayne (Dan) Richards of Mobridge, SD; and Ann (Todd) Langbehn of Aberdeen, SD; grandchildren: Cle (Abby) Richards, Elias Richards, Jimmy Richards, Hannah Langbehn, Maxwell Langbehn, and Sophie Langbehn; sister, Noreen (Robert) Lien of Milbank, SD; brothers: Tom (Nancy) Kiefer of Wahpeton, ND; and Donnie (Paulie) Kiefer of Annandale, MN; sisters-in-law: Nancy (Ken) Forster of Forman, ND; and Cindy Stenson of Lidgerwood, ND; along with many good friends.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents: Harry and Denna Kiefer; parents-in-law: John and Orpha Stenson; sister, Sandy Kiefer; and brother-in-law, Mark Stenson.

In lieu of flowers please, make donations to the Living Word Lutheran Church Building Fund or The Gideons International.

For a list of local florist, please see our Resources page.