Obituary of Kenneth Willis Weerheim

Armour - Kenneth Willis Weerheim, 92, died at Armour Care and Rehabilitation Center in Armour on Thursday, October 26, 2017. Funeral servic will be Monday, October 30, 2017 at 11:30 AM at United Church of Christ in Armour with burial following in Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Armour. Visitation will be Sunday, October 29, 2017 from 5 - 7 PM at United Church of Christ in Armour with a prayer service at 7:00 PM. Arrangements by Koehn Bros. Funeral Home in Armour.

Kenneth Willis Weerheim was born on a farm southwest of Corsica, SD on September 18, 1925. He was the oldest of five sons to Jacob and Vlema (Putzier) Weerheim. He helped his father farm and attended country school through the 8th grade. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in September of 1943. He completed his  basic training at the Navy Training Center in Farragut, ID. He served in the South Pacific on the destroyers, USS Abner Read and Fred T. Berry. The Abner Read was escorting General Douglas MacArthur back to the Philippines when it was sunk November 1, 1944 in the Leyte Gulf by a Japanese kamikaze attack. He was wounded  by bomb fragments and received the Purple Heart. After a period of R & R he returned to active duty in the South Pacific on board the Fred T. Berry. He was honorably discharged in May of 1946. In addition to the Purple Heart, he received the Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal with two stars, the American Area Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Mdeal and the Philippines Liberation Medal.

Ken married Norma Hawley in November of 1947 and had 4 children. Ken’s work consisted of farming, construction of the Ft. Randall Dam, and many other truck driving jobs throughout his life. He was a life member of the VFW Post 6897 and a member of the American Legion Post 52. Ken loved to fish, hunt and play cards.

Ken is survived by his sons, Rick (GLoria) Weerheim of Lead, SD and Terry (Donna) Weerheim of Armour, SD, daughters, Collette (Jim) Sondgeroth of Canton, SD and Vickie (Dick) Gantenbein of Armour, SD, 9 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Mary Weerehim of ID, and many nieces, nephews and friends.

Ken was preceded in death by his wife, Norma, parents, 4 brothers, a grandchild, and a great-grandchild.

In lieu of flowers the family will be sending memorials to various Veterans organizations.