Kim Ness

Kim "Gus" Ryan Ness, 69, of Aberdeen, SD, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2026, at Avera St. Luke's Hospital, surrounded by his family.

A Memorial Service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, at Schriver's Memorial Chapel.

A time for fellowship and luncheon will follow at Schriver's Memorial Fellowship Center.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Monday, January 12, at Schriver's Memorial Chapel. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.

Gus' service may be viewed here. 

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com. Services will be recorded and posted on Schriver’s Facebook following the service.

Born March 5, 1956, in Watertown, SD, Gus was the fourth of six children to Garry and Carol (Erickson) Ness. Gus spent most of his childhood in Lead, SD during which time his parents divorced. Carol then remarried Robert "Bob" Faiman and the family moved to Claremont, SD upon which time Gus attended Langford High School. His father, Garry remarried and he gained a stepmother in Delores “Toot” Ness.

On July 24, 1976, Gus married Fran Zacher. They had two children and moved to Williston, ND, in 1980. Gus spent four years working on the oil rigs for Noble Drilling. After the birth of their third and fourth children, they moved back to South Dakota to be closer to family. Gus started working for the Coca-Cola Company in Aberdeen. In 1992, after beginning his job at Hub City Iron Company, the family moved to a small hobby farm outside of Barnard, SD. They had many different types of animals over the years, including chickens that he was so proud of, ducks, sheep, a couple of pigs, and even a single cow at one point. They also had many dogs over the years, and, over his objections, even some cats.

Gus and Fran divorced, but they remained close friends until his death.

He had an inquisitive mind and loved to read about different phenomena. Gus passed on a love of rock and roll to all his children, who fondly remember the oldies station always being tuned in on the radio and looking through his record collection. He was an avid fan of wrestling, which he passed on to his son, and more recently, his great-grandson.

Due to complications from a car accident in 2006, he moved to Frederick, SD. After additional medical concerns, he later moved back to Aberdeen, spending his last years at Aberdeen Health and Rehab. He enjoyed his Friday night pizzas, and Tuesday night candy bar and Mt. Dew. Gus also loved to tell his stories to his granddaughters when they visited him, and to look at his wrestling book with his great-grandson.

Gus is survived by his four children: Stacy (Mike) Sawatzky, Joe Ness, Jessica Ness, and Amanda (Bobby) Azad; his three granddaughters: Keyli (Lalo) Sawatzky Cortes, Katrina Gibson, and Jasmine Gibson; his great grandson Blaine Sawatzky all of Aberdeen SD; his brother Craig (Renee) Ness of Lafayette, LA; sisters Marian Lenling, Tammy Hagen, and Moni Feser all of Claremont, S;, his half brother Greg Ness of Harrodsburg, KY; his dear friend and ex-wife Fran Ness; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Carol Faiman; stepfather, Robert Faiman; father, Garry Ness; stepmother, Delores Ness; one sister, Janel; and two brothers-in-law.