Kenneth Eugene Nordhus

Ken Nordhus, age 96 of Clark, passed away Friday morning, November 8, 2024, at Avantara Clark with family by his side following a brief illness.

Visitation will be held Thursday, November 14, 2024, from 5:00-7:00 PM at Furness Funeral Home of Clark. Funeral services will be held Friday, November 15, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Furness Funeral Home with Pastor Pam Seefeldt officiating. Burial will follow at Clark Center Cemetery of rural Clark. Ken's funeral service will be live-streamed on the funeral home's website below his obituary in the service section.

Kenneth Eugene Nordhus was born on December 12, 1927, on the family homestead in Woodland township, Clark County, South Dakota to parents Severt and Esther (Cradit) Nordhus.

Ken attended Woodland Township School until the eighth grade, after which his father had him leave school so he and his brother could contribute to the work on the family farm. In 1983, Ken received his GED® at age 56. He and his family were so proud of this accomplishment. Ken worked various jobs for the City of Clark and Oscar's Machine Shop. He spent several years working for farmers and then returned to the farm.

Ken married Patricia Gereaux, and together they welcomed daughter Cheryl in 1952. He also adopted Pat's son Stephen. They later went their separate ways. In 1960, Ken married Lavonne Fiferlick, and together they welcomed two children: Lana, born in 1960, and Chris, born in 1962. From 1975-1976, Volker Lohmann, an American Field Service (AFS) student from Germany, joined the family. The couple parted ways in 1981. In 1982, Ken married Harriet Ness. They returned to his farm to live. The grandchildren had lots of fun on the farm. In 2000, the farm was sold, and they moved into Clark where they have lived since.

Ken was a skilled handyman who enjoyed fixing lawn mowers, gardening, and volunteering with food deliveries and Meals on Wheels. A creative woodworker, he found ways to make tasks easier, like building a plywood tractor cab for warmth and a waist-high garden wagon to avoid bending.

Ken initiated the Clark Center Church Restoration Project with Harriet and Delma and Duane Wallen. Clark Center Church was put on the National Register of Historical Sites on November 29, 2005. He was also a member of the Woodland Township Board and the Good Hope Church Council.

Ken and Harriet were active in their community, attending fundraisers and going to the Clark High School Fieldhouse five days a week to exercise and socialize. They enjoyed traveling throughout the U.S. and Germany, exploring history. They also loved getting together with family and friends for holidays, birthday parties, and other celebrations. Ken and Harriet frequently welcomed neighbors and friends over for coffee and cookies.

Preceding him in death were his parents Severt and Esther Nordhus, daughter Cheryl Roop, granddaughter Stephanie, brother Robert Nordhus and his wife Lois, sister Joyce and her husband Lester "Bud" Larson, and stepdaughter Marcella.

Ken leaves behind his wife Harriet Nordhus of Clark, children Stephen (Marcella) Nordhus, Lana (Dallas) Bowen of Rapid City, Chris (Deborah) Nordhus of Burnsville, MN, AFS son Volker Lohmann, stepchildren Bruce Ness of Madison, Marlin Ness and friend Susan of Clark, Marvene (Craig) Reinbold of Aberdeen, nine grandchildren, thirteen great grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, three step great-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

The family has entrusted Furness Funeral Home with arrangements and have an online registry at www.furnessfuneralhome.com