Kim Wagenman, 68, Spearfish, S.D., went to be with the Lord on Aug. 5, 2023, at Monument Health Hospital in Spearfish. His death came sooner than family and friends would have wanted, but they rest in the knowledge he is with his Savior in Heaven.
Kim was born May 26, 1955, in Cando, N.D., to Harlan and LaVonne Wagenman. He helped his dad farm and was involved in FFA while in high school, then completed his college degree at Trinity Bible College in Ellendale, N.D., where he met his wife, Tracee Madler.
They farmed near Cando for 28 years, had three daughters, and raised elk. After their daughters graduated, they moved to the Black Hills, whose beauty and wildlife Kim had long admired. In Spearfish he was a mortgage broker and later a tax specialist and owner of Liberty Tax.
Kim was passionate about his faith and hunting. He also believed in investing in the community and local youth. He was a church and school board member, and he taught Sunday school, sang on church worship teams, refereed high school basketball games, and was involved in Royal Rangers and Youth for Christ in Cando. He went on several missions service trips to Nicaragua. In Spearfish, he continued to mentor young people through the South Dakota Youth Hunting Adventures organization and was an event organizer for Young Life. He was part of several Bible studies and loved the camaraderie of his friends at a regular morning coffee gathering. He was an avid fan of the Black Hills State University basketball team.
Kim is survived by his wife, Tracee Wagenman, of Spearfish; his daughters: Aleisha (Mike) Theisen of Minneapolis, Tiffany (fiance Brett) Althaus of North Bend, Wash., and Erica (Dustin) Lyle of Hayward, Wis.; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, JoAn and Francis Madler, of Spearfish; his sister, Marlene Anderson, of Spokane, Wash.; his brother, Paul (Mindy) Wagenman of Cando; brothers-in-law: Jeff (Kathy) Madler of Spearfish, Steve (Lorri) Madler of Colstrip, Mont.; sister-in-law LuAnn (Rod) Hill of New River, Ariz.; aunts Ila Mae Brandt and Edair Teubner, both of Cando, and Carolyn "Cookie" Wagenman of Fresno, Calif.; an uncle, Garth (Jan) Wagenman of Surprise, Ariz.; grandchildren Kaelyn and Jaisab Lyle of Hayward; and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harlan and LaVonne Wagenman; his brother, Mark Wagenman; niece, Steffany Cox; nephew, Levi Wagenman; as well as several aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A celebration of life will be held for Kim at 2 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 16, at Calvary Temple Assembly of God in Spearfish, S.D.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to Spearfish Young Life, BHSU Chi Alpha, or South Dakota Youth Hunting Adventures.
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