Kenneth M. Trygstad, 86, of North Platte, NE passed away peacefully on Friday, October 20, 2023 at the home of his daughter, surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Ken was born on February 9, 1937 in Rapid City, SD, the son of Daniel C. and Hilda (Zebell) Trygstad. Ken grew up in the Rapid City area and graduated from Rapid City High School in 1954. He then attended the University of South Dakota and the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. He married Joan E. Erickson on September 17, 1958 in Montrose, SD and together they had four children.
Ken worked in operational management and sales management for most of his career. He worked for over 32 years with Haggerty’s Department Store in Rapid City, SD, then with Abby Garman Corporation in Jackson Hole, WY, U-Haul Center in Washington State, and Montgomery/Kone Elevator Corporation in Sioux Falls and Rapid City, SD. Following his retirement Ken and Joan moved to Blackhawk, SD, to Denver, CO for a short time, and finally to North Platte, NE.
Ken was very active in all the churches he was a member serving on the Church Council in the position of President and Treasurer for several years. He was an active member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Rapid City and at Messiah Lutheran Church in North Platte in recent years. He was an over 50-year member of the Masonic Mt. Rushmore Lodge AF&AM #220, and lifetime member of Elks Lodge #1187, and long-term member of Jaycees, and the morning Optimist Club. He was active in the Chamber of Commerce in Rapid City, Baken Park Small Business Association, and the Boy Scouts of America. He always tried to be active and supportive of all his children’s activities, and when he was not at work, he was spending time with his wife and children. He loved hunting and fishing along with his sons, and camping as a family. Ken will be missed by all who knew and loved him.
Those left to cherish Ken’s memory are his wife of 65 years, Joan; children, Mark (Mary Celeste) Trygstad of Augusta, GA, Patricia (Paul) Johnson of Lakeville, MN, Paul (Candy) Trygstad of Windsor, CO, and Kaylene (Terry) Sodawasser of North Platte; grandchildren, Martin L. (Christy) Johnson, Matthew P. (Kelli) Johnson, Joshua (Erin) Trygstad, Maria (Andrew) Tijernia, Daniel (Joslynne) Trygstad, Sarah (Brendan) Pendley, Ben (Sydney) Trygstad, Aaron Trygstad, Lydia Trygstad; and Joe Trygstad, Katie (Lance) Wright, and Andrew (Kat) Sodawasser; great-great-grandchildren, Luka, Ezra, Margot, Ira, Wyatt, Owen, Colette, Dakota, Carson, Wesley, Rhett, Jace, Jaxton, Aspen, Caden, Zeke, Zoey, Leila, Kohen, Larken, Jayden, and foster baby Azalea, ; step-grandchild, William Rosabal; and numerous other family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, John, Ralph Darrell, Leroy, and Vernon Trygstad; sister, Rebecca Gowan; and step-grandson, Melchor Rosabal.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, October 27, 2023 at Messiah Lutheran Church in North Platte, NE with Pastor Anne Durboraw officiating. Burial will follow at a later date in Pine Lawn Cemetery in Rapid City, SD. Visitation will be from 1-7 pm, with the family receiving friends will be from 5-7 pm on Thursday, October 26th at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which has been entrusted with the arrangements. Masonic ritual service will follow at 7 pm.
Memorials in his memory may be made to the family for future designation.
Online condolences and expressions of sympathy and for a live feed of the services may be accessed and shared with the family at www.carpentermemorial.com.