Kim Alan Verhey, age 72, of Madison, passed away peacefully at his home on Thursday, May 21, 2026, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services will be 10:30am on Thursday, May 28th at Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Steve Lindley officiating. Visitation will be 5-8p on Wednesday at Rustand-Weiland Funeral Chapel with a prayer service at 7pm. Visitation will continue on Thursday one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial with full military honors at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Kim was born on April 23, 1954, in Madison, SD, to Don and Dorla (Wesp) Verhey. He attended Howard Elementary and Belford School near rural Storla, SD. He later attended Plankinton High School for two and a half years before the family moved to Woonsocket in 1971, where he graduated in 1972.
In 1972, Kim enlisted in the United States Army, serving as a track and wheeled vehicle mechanic with HHC 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry of the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. He was honorably discharged in 1975. Kim served in the South Dakota National Guard for nine years, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. After returning home from Germany, he attended Dakota State College in Madison, earning his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1980.
He began his career with Kingbrook Rural Water in 1980 as a water operator, a position he held until 1992. Throughout his career he received the South Dakota Rural Water Operator of the Year Award and the American Water Works Association Meritorious Service Award. Kim served on the Board of Directors of the South Dakota Water and Wastewater Association for seven years and was elected president of the organization. He then joined the City of Madison as the water and wastewater foreman, where he worked until his retirement in 2017.
Kim married Cindy Barry on March 6, 1980, and together they had Amber and Aaron. They lived in De Smet for several years before returning to Madison. In 1997, Kim married Jayne Mengenhauser, and through their marriage he welcomed two additional daughters, Katy and Sarah.
Kim had a deep love for his family and cherished every moment spent with them. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, gardening, and was often found working on his latest woodworking project. He loved riding his Harley and had a lifelong passion for photography—rarely seen without a camera in hand. Kim was patriotic, loyal, and a true friend to many. He was also an active member of the American Legion and the Honor Park Committee. Member of Trinity Lutheran Church, member of Lake Chapter, ABATE of South Dakota.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Jayne; daughter Amber (Garry) Eggert; son Aaron (Shay) Verhey; and daughter Sarah (Per Pearson) Lindholm, all of Madison. He is also survived by his grandchildren Breanna, Hanna, Sophia, Raeana, Leo, Janeli, Caleb, Skylar, Lesley, Taylor, Megan, Lexus, Riley, Shawndra, Taejaun, Owen, and Emmett; three great-grandchildren, Abrian, Charlie, and Loretta; brothers Duane (Vernice) Verhey of Sioux Falls and Mike (Tammy) Verhey of Fargo; sister-in-law Jean (Jerry) Berger of Cedar Rapids; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and his loyal four-legged friend, Buddy.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Don and Dorla Verhey; sister Deb Verhey; daughter Katy Palmer; grandson Kenneth Lindholm; and his first wife, Cindy.
