ST. HELENA — Bernard “Benny” Kaiser, 90, St. Helena, died March 14, 2024, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, S.D.

Mass of Christian Burial was March 18 at Holy Family (Immaculate Conception) Catholic Church, St. Helena, with Reverend Craig Loecker officiating.

Burial was in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery, St. Helena.

Pallbearers were his grandsons, Dustin Stefani, Jacob Kaiser, Riley Kaiser, Frank Gade, Alex Gade, Jonathon Vos and Caleb Vos.

Honorary pallbearers were his granddaughters and all of his great grandchildren.

Visitation was March 17 at Holy Family (Immaculate Conception) Catholic Church, with a rosary and vigil service. Visitation continued one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington, NE.

Bernard Francis Kaiser was born Nov. 5, 1933, on the farm in St. Helena, to Jacob and Theresa (Schoof) Kaiser. He farmed all of his life on the home place near St. Helena. His father died when he was 5 years old. His older brothers farmed, and when he was 19 years old, he took over the farm. Benny married Shirley Schrempp, Sept. 16, 1958, at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, Fordyce. He spent many years playing baseball and was coach for the St. Helena baseball team, the junior team, and the midget team. He also bowled many years for the St. Helena Store.

Benny was President of District #57 School Board for many years, and dance manager for the St. Helena Dance Hall. He was a 4th Degree Knight of Columbus in Hartington and also a member of the Tri-State Old Iron Association in Yankton. Benny was also the President of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church Council and usher for the church in St. Helena.

He is survived by his wife, Shirley (Schrempp) Kaiser; seven children, Brenda (Frank) Stefani, Kelly Kaiser, Dean (Tammy) Kaiser, Judy (Russ) Gade, Dale Kaiser, Beth (Chris) Vos, Chad (Melissa) Kaiser; son-in-law, Steve Zimmerman; 15 grandchildren, Dustin (Carlie) Stefani, Meghan (Austin) Anderson, Angela Kaiser, Jacob (Tracy) Kaiser, Valerie Kaiser, Sabrina Kaiser, Courtney Zimmerman, Hailey Ridgway, Riley Kaiser, Frank (Amy) Gade, Stephanie (Tim) Lackovic, Alex (Rachel) Gade, Cassy Gade, Jonathon (Megan) Vos, and Caleb Vos; 15 great-grandchildren, Eden Stefani, Kasen Stefani, Lenni Anderson, Boone Anderson, Monica Kaiser, Joseph Kaiser, Addison Bass, Lilly Hamling, Sophia Hamling, Everly Kaiser, Connor Gade, Pierson Gade, Tatum Gade, Caroline Lackovic, and Adalyn Gade; and one sister, Geraldine “Geri” Schumacher.

He was preceded in death by his parents;two children, Korry Kaiser and Sheila Zimmerman; daughter-in-law, Kayleen Kaiser; and siblings, Andrew Kaiser, Gilbert Kaiser, Lawrence Kaiser, Claire “Dick” Kaiser, Dorothy Schneiders, Wilma Hochstein and Mary Rose Collier.