Kenneth Byron Berger, 81, of Rapid City, South Dakota passed into eternity on November 16, 2025.

Ken was born to Byron and Eva Berger on September 23, 1944 in Aberdeen, South Dakota. He graduated from Aberdeen Central High School in 1963.  February 13, 1964 he enlisted in the United States Air Force.  After basic training and tech school in Texas he was assigned to Okinawa, Japan for 15 months.  Upon his return to the states he was united in marriage to Sandra, Sandy Hardy from Roslyn, South Dakota, on March 26, 1966, at Fron Lutheran Church near Roslyn.  Following the 30 day leave he was assigned to Peterson Field, Colorado Springs, Colorado.  After five months there he was chosen because of his record to go to Otis Air Force Base in Massachusetts on February 12, 1968 he was honorably discharged and drove nonstop from Massachusetts to Roslyn, where his family was waiting!  On November 1, 1967, twin girls were born in Webster, South Dakota, Tammi Lyn and Traci Lie.  The family moved to Aberdeen for a short time before Ken enrolled at VoTech school in Watertown, South Dakota, for his A and P License.  The family moved to Minneapolis where he was employed at Western Airlines, now Delta.  They went on strike and Ken didn't want to walk the picket lines so they returned to VoTech again for Electronics.  He later was hired by Bell Telephone with transfers to Webster, Aberdeen, and Rapid City.  No more moving, so when Jess Riddle called him January 1986, he was hired as Manager of Riddles at Rushmore Mall.  This was a challenge he met head on and enjoyed many interesting, hard working, fun years in the jewelry business.  He wasn't retired very long when Jess called to ask if he would manage the new Comfort Inn & Suites he just built in Rapid City.  Another challenge with a good result; "Inn of the Year 2007"!  Ken retired and he and Sandy enjoyed many years of travel in their RV and their home in Arizona.

Ken is survived by his wife Sandy, two daughters Tammi (Cory) Kaliszewski of Rapid City and Traci (Michael) Wilson of Westminster, CO.  Five grandchildren, Jenna (Jessie) Slepicka, Missoula, MT., Rachel (Dylan) Rector, Denver, CO and Chase Carlson, Denver, CO., Hanna (Mason) Hampton, Naples, FL. and Halie (Aaron) Tindall, Rapid City.  One sister, Crystal Engel, Dallas, TX and one brother, Len Berger, Aberdeen.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made in Ken's memory to South Canyon Lutheran Church.

Friends and family are invited to a memorial service at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 21, 2025 at South Canyon Lutheran Church.  A luncheon and time of fellowship will follow.  Interment will be at Black Hills National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.