Kendall Martin Darrach was born on December 12, 1940, to Ivan and Marjorie (Martin) Darrach in Dunedin, Prince Edward Island (PEI).  He was the youngest of two. He had an older brother, Ivan Darrach, who he adored and looked up to all his 80 years and cherished almost weekly facetime video chats.

Ken grew up with a love for dogs, ice skating, and of course, hockey.  You can't be a Canadian and not love hockey though, eh?  He graduated in 1958 from Moncton High School and went on to take some business courses.  He became a jack of all trades which would serve him well all through his years.

Ken met his first wife, Donna, in Moncton, New Brunswick.  They were married on November 26, 1960.  They welcomed their first child, Gregg, to the world in May 1961.  Soon after they welcomed a daughter, Kenda, born June 1963.  A son, Todd, was born in June 1964.  They moved to the United States in 1965 where they welcomed their fourth child, Eleanor.  While Ken and Donna's marriage didn't last, they remained friends all through the years.

In a twist of fate, Ken met the love of his life, Betty.  Betty had two kids; Don and Laura.   Ken and Betty decided to make their new home near her family who loved him also, in Sturgis, South Dakota.  Ken proposed and Betty, of course, said YES, and were married on April 18, 1975.  They were overjoyed to be welcoming their first child into the world.  Devastatingly though, they lost the baby who they named Christina Hope Darrach in January 1975.  For some couples, that type of tragedy would tear a couple apart.  It brought them closer in their faith and deeper in love.  As Ken tells it, he went on a men's retreat, and while there, they all prayed that God would bless he and Betty with another child.  And Betty would finish the story with, "And we found out I was pregnant that very next month!"  In October, 1976, they welcomed a baby girl, Kendra (Darrach) Lawson into the world.  Twenty-two months later, they welcomed a surprise baby, and as he famously (infamously if you ask Kendra) says, their final "PERFECT" child, Nathan Darrach, into the world in August 1978.

He worked at the Rapid City Schools Warehouse for 29 years until his retirement.  He also thoroughly loved his "side gig" as one of Sturgis' finest, as a policeman at the Sturgis police department.  He taught at the police academy for a time as well and loved every minute!  Ken also had another "side gig" as a locksmith.  He had his own business called "Ken's Lock and Key" which was a hobby turned to business that he became well known for.  Ken had many other hobbies as well.  He loved CB radios, square dancing, camping, and traveling back to Moncton and Prince Edward Island, Canada to visit family.  Many, many memories were made in their family travels back to Canada and the East Coast to visit his older children and their grandchildren, as well as down South to visit his son and his family in Texas.

Ken lost his beloved Betty in April of 2017, as well as a bit of himself.  He loved spending time with his kids, grandkids, and friends, but nothing replaced his beautiful wife.  He did begin to joke that he was looking for a "hot #10".  And we like to think his hot #10 held one hand and Jesus held the other as he entered Heaven on September 13, 2021.  Ken's body had grown tired and his children decided it was time to bring him home, surround him with love, and assure him they would be ok when he decided it was time to quit fighting.  He passed extremely peacefully in his home, surrounded by people who loved him like crazy.  And for that, his family feels extremely blessed.

Ken is survived by his brother, Ivan Darrach; his children, Gregg Darrach, Kenda Howell, Todd Darrach, Eleonor Darrach, Donald Lamb, Laura (Lamb) Campbell, Kendra (Darrach) Lawson, and Nathan Darrach; grandchildren,  Zachary Zapatka, Alexandra Zapatka, Jeffrey Lamb, Sierra Lamb, Trysten Bowman, August Bowman, Myles Bowman,  Clara Lawson, Ellycka-Justin Danner, Meagan Cain, Joshua Darrach, Jessica Darrach, Michael Darrach, Aslynn Romano, Phillip Brown, Morgan Waterman, Ryan Fiderlick, Adam Darrach, Walter Darrach, Miesha Darrach, Carmen Darrach, and Cristan Darrach and grand dog Dexter.  He is also survived by many beloved great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews and special friends who have touched his life, Troy Nelson, Dave Finn, and Tom Nelson.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Marjorie (Martin) Darrach; his beloved wife Betty, and his daughter Christina Darrach, grandson Brian Darrach, and grand dog, Zin.

Services will be at Kinkade Funeral Chapel, Sturgis, South Dakota, Sunday, September 19, 2021, 2:00 p.m.

Cick on link to view service folder