Flandreau – Kenneth L. LaPlante, 73, died Sunday at the Flandreau Medical Center. He was diagnosed with cancer in April, 2007. Ken was born August 26, 1934 in Stewart, MN to Oliver and Melva (Reimer) LaPlante. He attended St. Boniface parochial grade school and graduated in 1952 from Stewart High School. He was a member of the Army National Reserves from 1951 to 1961. Ken married Joann Selchow on May 14, 1957 in Stewart and five children blessed this marriage. The family moved to Flandreau, SD in June, 1961 where Ken was transferred to manage Goodman's Produce. He joined Farmers State Bank staff on April 1, 1968, retiring August 31, 1996. Following retirement, he continued to work part-time at the casino and "wore many hats" at the bank. Ken was a Little League coach, volunteer fireman, member of Jaycees and Knights of Columbus. He was a member of Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church and served on the church council. He was also a member and officer of Flandreau Park Golf Club. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, golfing and horse shoes. He is survived by his wife, Jo; five children: Kimberly (Bill Shaker) of Cheshire, CT; Scott (Wanda) of Elk River, MN; Peggy (Joel Johnson) of Littleton, CO; Tracie (Steve Rohlf) of Brandon; Jill (Don Endres) of Brookings; 11 grandchildren: Melissa (Tony Stanton), Brett and Phil LaPlante; Rachel and Mitchell Johnson; Dan, Derek and Leah Rohlf; Nadene, Natalie and John Endres; brothers Jerry, Tom and Dave; sisters Julie Orton, Mary Hauer, Naomi Barkeim and Susy Lenz, brothers-in-law, Neil (Dorothy) Selchow and Gene (Marie) Selchow and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Rolland, and nephews Jeff Orton and Jason Remus.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 am Saturday at Ss. Simon and Jude Catholic Church with burial in Union Cemetery. The family will be present from 4 – 7 pm Friday followed by a 7:00 pm prayer service with Pastor Timothy Rynearson at Skroch Funeral Chapel. A Ken LaPlante memorial has been set up at First National Bank in Flandreau for community improvements.