Current Services

Kenneth Lee Olinger
01-30-2026

A Memorial Funeral Service and Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, beginning at 11:00 a.m., at the Barnett-Lewis Funeral Home Chapel in Sioux Falls, SD, with Bishop Donald Kettler presiding. Lunch reception will follow. Interment with full military honors will occur at a later date. 

Kenneth Lee Olinger, 83, of Comstock, MI, died on Friday, January 30, 2026, at the University of Michigan Health-West in Grand Rapids, Michigan, surrounded by his loving family.

Kenneth was born on January 12, 1943, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, at Sioux Valley Hospital to Marvin E. and Eva L. (McQuisten) Olinger.

He grew up in Sioux Falls, was a member of the Civil Air Patrol while in High School and graduated from Washington High School in 1961.

After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Air Force (1962) and was assigned to Basic Training at Lackland AFB, Texas. Ken specialized in electronics and trained in electronic warfare, radar, and bomb scoring, telling B-52's if they missed their targets, even on moving trains. 

On February 27th, 1965, Kenneth married Carolyn Jean Brady, from Charlevoix, Michigan. Ken and Carolyn welcomed five children - Tammy, Wendy, Heidi, Kendra, and Kenny Jr.

It was early on in their lives together when Ken was called into active duty with the Air Force, and he would be transferred all over the country with tours worldwide, including two hemispheres. He was stationed in Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Michigan, Arizona, Thailand, Vietnam, and Guam.

Kenny loved his short-wave radio, a World War II vintage radio his Uncle Gene had brought back and given to him while Ken was in high school, instilling his love and interest in electronics and radio. He used to stay awake in the late-night listening to far away Morse Code and radio stations.

Ken was a devoted husband and father, and he loved his family with passion, including his fur baby, Molly.

Ken was a man of great faith and kindness. He was a gentle, loving spirit. Ken was patient, forgiving, and he never spoke ill will about anyone.

He was always a peacemaker and problem solver who brought warmth and love when he entered a room.

Besides a delicious warm chocolate chip cookie, he enjoyed klube, homemade bean soup, dill pickles and green apples.

Ken was an active member of the Kiwanis club for 35 years. Through his 53 years of serving, he received the Pride and Professionalism Award, Outstanding Airman Award, National Defense Award, Good Conduct Award, Vietnam Service Award, Humanitarian Service Award, Cold War Service Award, and Honorable Discharge Award. In total, Ken served 23 years in the United States Air Force - retired as Master Sergeant (MSGT) - and 29 ½ years in civil service with the Department of Defense. Ken was a member of Potter Post #3 in Chamberlain, SD. Ken retired at the age of 73, and through those years, he gave love to his country, family, and God.

Grateful for having shared his life are his children, Tammy Coyne and husband, Jim of Minnesota, Wendy Olinger of Washington, Heidi Wierenga and husband, Brian of Michigan, Kendra Seekins and husband, Josh of Tennessee, and Kenny Olinger, Jr. and wife, Michelle of Michigan; his surviving siblings, Lila Speckels of South Dakota, Donna Todd of Colorado, Vicki Kettler and husband, Jim of Colorado, and Donald Olinger of Connecticut; 17 grandchildren, four great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, Marvin and Eva Olinger; brothers, Verne Olinger and Rodney Olinger, and a granddaughter, Kaylee Ann Olinger.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to be made in Kenneth L. Olinger’s memory, sent to South Dakota American Legion Foundation, P.O. Box 67, Watertown, SD 57201.