Kenneth Whaley, age 82, of Brookings, SD died Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at the United Retirement Center in Brookings after a brief battle with cancer. He was born April 19, 1929 in rural Colman, SD to Cyrus and Blanch (Thomas) Whaley. He graduated from Flandreau High School in 1947 and attended Augustana College where he majored in music. Ken returned to the farm and married Donna Lee Critser on September 18, 1949 in Flandreau. They farmed west of Flandreau for 40 years and he ended his working life operating heavy machinery for various companies. Ken was a member of the United Methodist Church where he sang in the choir, served on the Whaley School Board of Education, served as a Moody County 4-H leader and served on the Moody County Fair Board. He was active in Masons, Eastern Star, Shriners and Golden K. Ken enjoyed boating, snowmobiling, skiing, working with horses and other livestock, playing cards and spending time with his family.

Ken is survived by his wife of 62 years, Donna, Brookings; four children, Stephne (Greg) Miller, Machelle (Brad) Bonde, Bradley (Julie) Whaley and Mark (Elizabeth) Whaley, all of Brookings; 11 grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, 11 step-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Elaine Elhoff and Janice (George) Thielsen and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Vernon and Marion.

Funeral services will be 10:30 am Saturday, February 18, 2012 at First United Methodist Church, Brookings, with burial in Union Cemetery, Flandreau. Visitation is from 5:00-7:00 pm Friday at Skroch Funeral Chapel, Flandreau, with a 7:00 pm Eastern Star Service followed by a Masonic Service. Memorials may be sent to the American Cancer Society and/or Leader Dog for the Blind.