Michael "Scoop" Kezar, Sr., 71, died Saturday, November 7, 2020 in Alcester, SD.  Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Thursday, November 12 at Wass Funeral Home in Alcester, followed by a Prayer Service and Rosary at 7:00 PM.  Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, November 13 at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Beresford, SD.

Michael was born December 15, 1948 in Aberdeen, SD to Dale and Virginia (Dunton) Kezar.  He grew up in Aberdeen and graduated in 1967 from Roncalli High School.  He received his Bachelor's Degree and achieved his Master's Degree at Northern State University.  He married Sherry Newman on June 14, 1969.

For 35 years, from 1979-2014, Mike worked as the City Finance Officer for the City of Alcester.  He was always an active member of the Alcester community.  Mike was a pivotal member of the Alcester Summer Recreation program for many years.  He spent countless hours coaching youth sports.  If Mike was not coaching, he was at the local games keeping his own stats to write the story on the game for the Alcester Union paper.  He wanted to make sure that each kid playing got recognized in the paper.  During his summers he would live at the Alcester baseball fields.  Coaching, Umpiring, and maintaining them.  He was always very proud that he secured the opportunity for Alcester to host two state baseball tournaments in the same summer.  He played pickup games of basketball on Sundays until his Parkinson's would not allow him.  Mike passed on his love of sports to his own family.  He was always there to coach not only his children but also his grandchildren.  Mike earned the nickname "Scoop" for writing stories in the Alcester Union paper and received many awards for those stories.  He has been writing sports stories is South Dakota for over 50 years.  Scoop will continue to cover our stories from heaven.

Scoop is survived by his wife of 51 years, Sherry, Alcester, SD; his children; Robert (Becky) Kezar, Box Elder, SD, Michael (Lori) Kezar, Sioux Falls, SD, Audra (Greg) Nelson, Alcester, SD, Karen (Garrett) Bruening, Weilerbach, Germany, and Joe (Marcy) Kezar, Gretna, NE; 22 grandchildren; and 9 great-grandchildren +2 on the way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dale and Virginia Kezar; and his brother, Rich Kezar.

In lieu of sending flowers, Mike would like a donation to be made to the Alcester Summer Rec program.  Donation can be dropped off at the Premier Bank of Alcester.