Simon Kusser

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Simon John Kusser, of Highmore, passed away Wednesday, May 11, 2016 surrounded by his loving family at Avera Hand County Memorial Hospital, Miller, South Dakota at the age of 89 years, 10 months and 29 days.

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, May 20, 2016 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore.  Burial followed at the Kusser Cemetery, rural Highmore.  A luncheon followed the burial at the K Lazy K Ranch shop.  Visitation began at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, May 19, 2016 with a 7:00 p.m. rosary service and 7:30 p.m. wake service, all at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Highmore.

Simon John Kusser was born June 12, 1926 to Max and Mabel (Perrigoue) Kusser at the hospital in Highmore, South Dakota.  Simon, name sake of the first Kusser to settle in Dakota Territory, lived his entire life on the same section of land in southern Hyde County.  The oldest of four surviving children, he grew up on the family farm with his brothers, Joe and Buzz, and his sister, Betty.  He attended country school first in Stephan township and then in Convent township.  In his youth, he served as a lifeguard and enjoyed being part of the South Hyde softball team.

During WWII he attended Agricultural School in Brookings, South Dakota where he participated in ROTC and basketball.  This school allowed farm kids to attend classes for long days during the winter months in order for them to be back on the farm in the spring and fall for planting and harvesting.

Following high school graduation in 1944, he returned to the family farm to resume his life’s work alongside his Dad, brothers, and eventually his sons and nephews to build K Lazy K Ranch.  They raised Hereford cattle, then Angus along with farming and haying.  On June 18, 2014 he survived a tornado that destroyed everything they had worked for and built over the years.  Hanging on to his office doorway as the storm passed over he came through without a scratch and told all that would listen that he saved the house by “holding it up” with his two hands.

Simon was united in marriage to his true love Eileen Beranek at the Immaculate Conception Church Stephan, South Dakota, on January 2, 1952.  To this union five daughters and three sons were born.   Simon and Eileen raised their family in the same house where Simon grew up. This was always a busy place not just with eight kids but countless cousins and friends who roamed the ranch.  Simon welcomed all, whether it was a cousin, one of his kids’ or grandkids’ friends, or a distant relative in need of a safe place to grow and learn.  He loved to say that “no one ever went hungry”, as he was always quick to invite visitors to stay for a meal.

Simon was a life-long member of the Immaculate Conception Church at Stephan, being one of the first babies baptized in the brick church built in 1926.  He participated in Jaycees and was a member of the Catholic Order of Foresters for more than 75 years. He served on the Convent Township School Board and in later years, like his father Max, was a Hyde County Commissioner.  He was a 4-H leader while his kids were involved.  You could always find him behind the chutes helping with many 4-H, high school and Days of 76 rodeos. 

In the early 1960s, K Lazy K bought hay grinders and established one of the first custom hay grinding businesses in central South Dakota.  Simon and his crew of helpers traveled all over central South Dakota grinding hay for farmers and ranchers and making some lifelong friends along the way.  Simon was a great mechanic and could fix or cobble just about anything. 

Simon enjoyed deer, pheasant, elk and antelope hunting both on the farm, in the Black Hills and west river.  At 82, he shot a 5x5 elk in the Black Hills. Through hunting he formed many friendships over the years as evidenced by the pheasant and deer hunters that are welcomed home every fall.  Simon always enjoyed a good happy hour, as those were the times stories were told and special memories were made.

As much as Simon loved the ranch the Black Hills held a special place in his heart. He loved any time spent at the cabin.  Over the years he invited friends and family to the cabin to work, hunt, and enjoy the meadow. His favorite saying sitting on the deck watching the sunset was “I wonder what the rich people are doing?”

Simon lived his life in ever changing times.  The Dirty 30s and the Depression; World War II and all those that followed; the drought of 1976 and the farm crisis of the 80s.  He survived the loss of a son, a daughter, and a son-in-law.   But if there was one constant in Simon’s life it was love and pride for his family and the ranch he helped build. He believed a person should be a good neighbor and a faithful friend.  He believed that hard work, honesty and determination will get you through just about anything -- just don’t ever give up. 

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife of 64 years Eileen; his children Sheila Kusser of Highmore; Jan Talley of Pierre; John Kusser of Highmore; Trish (Jim) Wendte of Pierre; Marilyn (Mike) Ring of Highmore; and Dan Kusser of Highmore; grandchildren: Crystal (Richard Oeckler) Bonnichsen, Zumbro Falls, MN; Wendy Bonnichsen, Eden Prairie, MN; Sarah (Lucas) Klumper, Lakeville, MN; Justin (Morgan) Bonnichsen, Highmore; and Max Ring, Highmore; great grandchildren: Susie and Kara Klumper and Briar and Havyn Bonnichsen; son-in-law, Steve Bonnichsen; sister, Betty (Ronnie) Heckenlaible, brother, Edward (Buzz) Kusser, all of Highmore; sisters-in-law: LaVonne Kusser, Highmore; Carolyn Beranek, and Mary Beranek, Miller, SD; friends who are family, Mike and Clela Henson, Huron, SD; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Waiting to greet him in heaven are his children: Jimmy, who died in 1978 and his daughter, Susie Bonnichsen, who died in 2001; son-in-law, Rolis Talley, who died in 2000; his parents; his brother, Joe and infant siblings: Marie and Michael; father and mother in-law: Joe and Alice Beranek; brothers-in-law: Marvin and Leo Beranek; sister-in-law, Vonnie Kusser; niece, Debbie Kusser; nephew, Ronnie Allen Heckenlaible; and his good ole buddy, Marv Morford.