Kenneth M. Hoebelheinrich

Kenneth M. Hoebelheinrich, age 71, of Yankton, South Dakota, died on Saturday, May 8, 2021 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton surrounded by his family. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM, on Friday, May 14, 2021, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Yankton with Reverend Larry Regynski officiating.  Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Cemetery with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791 of Yankton, Crofton American Legion Post No. 128, SD Army National Guard Funeral Honors and the Patriot Guard.  Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Thursday, May 13 at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton with a rosary at 6:45 PM, followed by a vigil service at 7:00 PM.  Visitation continues one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Pallbearers will be Dale Hoebelheinrich, Robert DeJong, Arlan Hoebelheinrich, Donavon Hoebelheinrich, Paul Fuhrer, Tom Hunhoff, and Chad Hoebelheinrich.  Honorary pallbearers are members of the Tri-State Old Iron Association. Kenneth “Ken” was born on June 30, 1949 at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton, South Dakota to Clarence and Mercedes (Becker) Hoebelheinrich. He attended a one room country schoolhouse, St. Rose of Lima Catholic School in Crofton, and then graduated from Crofton High School in 1967. On June 24, 1969, he entered the US Army and took his basic training at Fort Lewis, Washington. Ken graduated from there on August 25, 1969 and then was flown to Pleiku, Vietnam. After returning home from Vietnam, he met the love of his life, LaLonnie Hunhoff at Hogan’s Shoes. They were married June 24, 1972 and blessed with two children, Holly and Thomas.  Throughout his life, Ken had various jobs including working at Stuelpnagel’s and then at Gehl Manufacturing for over 30 years. After retirement, he kept busy by working on old tractors at Premium Best Transport and driving truck for Pepsi. Ken was a member of the VFW in Yankton and Crofton where he also served in the funeral honor guard. He was a member of the Tri-State Old Iron Association and loved working on and restoring old tractors. Most recently, he restored his father’s old 1959 Ford Gold Demonstrator. This tractor has been in the family for over 50 years. His other prized possession was his 1975 red Chevy C10  pickup. His favorite memory in the pickup was driving it to the Black Hills with LaLonnie and spending over a week traveling through various places throughout the hills. Ken also enjoyed spending time with his two grandchildren, Lillien and Desmond. Ken’s memory is cherished by his daughter, Holly (Mitch) Mudlin of Rapid City; son, Thomas (Leyna) Hoebelheinrich of Yankton; two grandchildren, Lillien and Desmond Hoebelheinrich of Yankton; silblings: Rose (Paul) Fuhrer of Omaha, NE, Donavon (Beverly) Hoebelheinrich of Yankton, Lois (Tom) Hunhoff of Yankton, Dale (Maryann) Hoebelheinrich of Yankton, and Arlan (Angie) Hoebelheinrich of Yankton. Ken was preceded in death by his parents; wife, LaLonnie on April 25, 2019; brother, Jim (Roseann) Hoebelheinrich; and several aunts and uncles.   To watch the video tribute which the family produced, please click on the link below: [embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyH6aQdwfos[/embed]