Frank Kiefer

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Frank Kiefer, 95, of Faulkton, passed away, Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Faulkton Senior Living with family by his side.

Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, December 12, 2025, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, Faulkton, SD, with Fr. John Short presiding. Burial will follow in the St. Thomas Catholic Cemetery, Faulkton with military honors.  A wake service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the church, with visitation one hour prior.

Frank Kiefer was born in Hague, ND on September 13, 1930, to Peter and Amelia (Zahn) Kiefer. Frank went to school and worked on the family farm in Hague alongside his 10 siblings and parents.  Frank joined the Army in January 1951 and after serving three years in Germany he was honorably discharged in January 1954.

While working as a hired hand, Frank met the love of his life, Carol Martschinske, at a local dance.  They were married on September 29, 1955. They spent all their married life (64 years) in and around the Faulkton area landing on a farm south of Faulkton.  This marriage was blessed with 10 children (8 boys and 2 girls).  Frank also spent many years driving school bus in Faulkton.

Frank was a devout Catholic and he was a member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Faulkton.  Family was very important to Frank, and he loved family visitors especially when the grandchildren and great-grandchildren arrived.  He spent several years caring for Carol before she passed on December 7, 2019.  He was an avid reader and loved to play a good game of Rummy. Frank was a member of Foncannon American Legion Post #102 and VFW Post #3179.

Those left to cherish Frank’s life are his children: Richard of Copperas Cove, TX, Daryl of Faulkton, SD, Debra (Mark) Kean of West Des Moines, IA, Robbie (Antonia) and Madison, SD, Kevin of Aberdeen, SD, Sandra (Tobey) VanderLann of Mound City, SD, and Jeff of Watertown, SD.  Also remembering Frank are his sisters: Helen of Bismark, ND, Alvina of Aberdeen, SD, and Bernice of Bismark, ND; brother, Joe in Tennessee; sister-in-law, Joyce (Martschinske) Bieber of Illinois; 16 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Frank was preceded in death by his wife, Carol; three sons: Todd, Roger, and Dale; daughter-in-law, Ingrid; his parents, Peter and Amelia Kiefer; siblings: Valentine, Mike, Rose, Katie, Peter, and Anton; parents-in-law, William and Lillian Martschinske; brothers-in-law: Edward, Delmar and Keith; and one sister-in-law, Marjory.

In lieu of flowers the family would appreciate a donation to St. Thomas Catholic Church, PO Box 394, Faulkton, SD 57438 or the Faulkton Cemetery Association, 619 14^th Ave S, Faulkton, SD 57438.

Luce Funeral Home of Faulkton has been entrusted with Frank’s arrangements.