Thomas Edwin Kennedy was born February 15, 1956 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota to Howard and Alice Mae (Larson) Kennedy. He passed away peacefully September 7, 2026 in Sioux Falls at Avera Hospital surrounded by his family at the age of 70 years.

Tom was raised on the family farm and attended Millbrook Country School before graduating from Beresford High School in 1974. He attended Dakota State College for two years before returning to the farm. Tom married Terri Hinkle September 12, 1981, at St. Teresa Catholic Church. Together, they raised their six children and were blessed with 14 grandchildren.

Tom dedicated his life to the farm, raising kids, livestock, and grain. In addition to farming, he also drove truck, operated snowplow, and ran heavy equipment with his brother, Jack. Due to failing health and a Parkinson’s diagnosis, he retired in 2018. He and Terri moved from the family farm to Beresford in 2020. Their home in town became a welcoming hub for their grandchildren, filled with the comings and goings between school, sports, and other activities.

Tom was a member of St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, served on the Beresford School Board, and was a longtime Lincoln County 4-H Shooting Sports instructor. With six children, he spent many years chaperoning dozens of school sporting and FFA trips. He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed hunting, trap shooting, and camping with his family at the river. Tom was a lover of history, a great storyteller, and an even better cook. His homemade pizza and Swedish Rosette Christmas cookies will be deeply missed. Whether facing the trials of farming or living with Parkinson’s Disease, Tom was never one to worry or complain. Instead, he faced each day with quiet strength, leaving behind a lasting example of faith and trusting God in all circumstances.

He is preceded in death by his parents, an infant daughter, Ellen; sister, Ruth Kennedy; and father-in-law, Russell Hinkle.

Tom is survived by his wife of 45 years, Terri Kennedy; two sons, Joseph (Sarah) Kennedy of Midland, SD and Matthew (Aggie) Kennedy of Beresford; four daughters, Katie (James) Westra and Ann (Andrew) Boden all of Beresford, Laura (Brent) Horner of Bismarck, ND and Molly (Ryan) Hauck of Avon, SD; 14 grandchildren, Allie and Bellamy Westra, Isaac, Lillie and Lane Boden, Hattie and Hannah Horner, Emma and Ryan Kennedy, Archie and Lucy Kennedy and Whitley, Wrenley and Watson Hauck. Also surviving are his brother, Jack (Kathleen) Kennedy of Beresford; two sisters, Laurel (Milton) Shearer of Torrence, CA and Margaret Kennedy of Beresford; his mother-in-law, Phyllis Hinkle of Beresford; his two brothers-in-law, Gary (Pat) Hinkle of Omaha, NE, and Mark Hinkle of Leawood, KS; as well as an aunt, uncle, and many cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

Funeral Mass will be 10:30AM Friday, September 11, 2026, at St. Teresa’s Catholic Church, 901 S 3rd Street, Beresford, SD 57004 with burial to follow at St. John’s Catholic Cemetery. Visitation will be 5-7PM Thursday, Sept. 10th at the church with a prayer service at 7PM.