Obituary of Ken Zeeb

Ken Zeeb, of Menno, SD passed away unexpectedly early Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at his residence in his sleep. Memorial services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at the Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Chapel, Yankton, with Rev. David Ellis officiating. Burial of his cremated remains will be in the Garden of Memories, Yankton, SD. Visitations will be one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, is assisting with the service details. Kenneth (Ken) Peter Zeeb was born January 31, 1943 to Gideon "Pete" Zeeb and Delphine Edelman in Bakersfield, California. At a young age the family moved back to South Dakota to a farm near Scotland, SD where he attended Scotland Public School and graduated in 1961. Ken then attended Yankton College, ending his college days one semester short of a business degree. Ken managed Fort Yankton at Lewis and Clark in 1967 and 1968. Ken married Patricia Blair on April 26, 1968. They moved to Menno in 1971 and opened Zeeb Insurance. Ken and Patricia had four children: Laura, Brian, Brad, and Jill. Ken was a gentle and caring man, full of wit and humor. Ken loved to spend time with friends and family, opening his home to anyone who wanted to visit. He was proud of his cabin and more proud of his children and grandchildren. His children are thankful for sharing his life and for the many memories created for his grandchildren from all the 4th of Julys, to watching old westerns, wearing around his bear claw slippers, playing with his penny collection and penny eating horse, trying to make music with his painted piano, and playing restaurant on the back porch bar of his cabin. We will never forget his "big round belly that shook when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly" as he puts on Elvis's record, "Blue Suede Shoes." Ken instilled in his family how to treat people fair, to find humor and joy in simple things, and most importantly that Jesus Christ died for us and that someday those who believe in Him will be in His Kingdom forever. Ken is survived by his four children: Laura Wendland (Randy) of Spearfish, SD, Brian Zeeb (Shannon) of Pierre, SD, Brad Zeeb of Spearfish, SD and Jill Tobin (Eric) of Rapid City, SD; ten grandchildren: Zackary Wendland, Marle Wendland, Stevi Wendland, Deni Zeeb, Gracie Zeeb, Broch Zeeb, Bryant Zeeb, Shawnie Zeeb, Ava Tobin, and Hudson Tobin; and two great grandchildren, Fox Newman and Mattisyn Newman. Ken was preceded in death by his parents, brother, John and sister in law, Linda Zeeb.