Kent Baumberger Obituary, Death – Kent William Baumberger, 48, of Miller, died after a protracted illness on Tuesday, January 10, 2023, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. The visitation will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2023, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Miller. Rev. Rhonda Wellsandt-Zell will preside. At a later date, a private family burial will be held in McIntosh City Cemetery. Contributions in his memory may be made to Hand County 4-H Shooting Sports, 415 W. 1st Ave #105, Miller, SD 57362, or the SDSRM Range Endowment, Attn: Jeff Vanderwilt, 25823 East Enemy Creek, Mitchell, SD 57301.
Kent Baumberger was born on September 22, 1974, in Philip, South Dakota, to parents Rod and Sharon (Wagner) Baumberger. He attended Sturgis Brown High School and South Dakota State University, where he earned a degree in range management. His older brother and sister maintained a close eye on him as he grew older. He adored his dogs and horses (Brandy, Bandit, Jessie, Maggy, Doc, and Buddy), and he was happiest while hunting.
Kent spent 26 years working for the Natural Resource Conservation Service in Pierre, Webster, McIntosh, Timber Lake, and Miller, South Dakota. He appreciated assisting farmers and ranchers with technical aid as well as assistance with land conservation. He was a lifetime member of the Naja Shrine, the Naja Cowboys, the Yeldez Drovers, the SD Grassland Coalition, Trinity Lutheran Church, and the Lemmon Masonic Lodge AF@AM. He participated in Miller 4-H shooting sports (including BB Gun, Shotgun, and archery) as well as Miller neighborhood youth activities.
He was involved in 4-H as a youth, competing in local, state, and national range judging tournaments. He was part of the Oklahoma 4-H team that won the National Range and Pasture Contest. In addition, he was a member of the SDSU Range Club, the Plant Identification contest, and four National Plant Identification contests. He also aided in education by attending several South Dakota Range Camps, Rangeland Days, and Ag Lenders Range School. Kent also liked team-penning with his father, brother, and brother-in-law, where he won a lot of saddles and belt buckles.
Kent was well-known for his contagious smile. He enjoyed keeping track of his children’s activities and attending them. He was overjoyed with their achievements. Kent is survived by his children, Faith and Pierce Baumberger of Miller, as well as his loving parents, Rod and Sharon of Sturgis, brother Jeff (Lisa) and family of Billings, Montana, and a number of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Both of his paternal and maternal grandparents passed away before he was born.