Kenneth H. Spring, Sr., 97, passed away July 29, 2007 at the Custer Regional Care Center in Custer, SD.
Ken was born in Fairburn, South Dakota, on January 13, 1910, to Godfried and Effie Spring and was a life long resident of Custer County.
Ken led an active life as a rancher, miner and shop owner. He was a member of the Custer Rock Club, Custer County Weed Board, and Custer Volunteer Fire Department. He also had a feature article on "Gold Panning in the Black Hills" in Rock and Gem as well as Treasure Hunter magazines. Ken was featured on a "Gotta Get Away" segment of "Good Morning, America" and was filmed for a gold-panning program on Austrian Television in Europe. Ken had many friends in Custer and many friends both here and abroad whom he had taken gold panning. Many stopped to ask about him and to pass along how much they enjoyed their gold panning tour and his stories of the early days of Custer.
Ken Spring started Ken's Minerals at its present location in 1955. But you couldn't mention Ken's Minerals without mentioning his wife and partner, Martha. Together they poured their hearts and souls into making it a success. Their ability to adapt and change with the whims of the traveling public is to be admired. But besides Ken's Minerals, Ken was most proud of the ranch that had been left in his trust. He hoped that future generations would keep the land in the Spring family and take care of it. When he wasn't working at the shop or with his gold panning tours, he would walk miles spraying weeds, trimming branches and just generally tending his property. It was a sacred trust for him.
Ken is survived by his son, Kenneth (Karen) Spring, Jr. of Custer; step-daughters, Bunny (Ken) Colyer and Dana (McCoy) De Berard of Custer; sister Mae Christie of Custer; nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren: Terry (Ginger) Spring, Custer; Lance (Sharlie) Spring, Custer; Matt (Selena) Spring, Custer; John (Kathy) Colyer, Custer; Kathy (McCoy) Dietz, TN; Leslie (McCoy) Williams, SC; Mike Finnegan, St. Paul, MN; Tom Finnegan, Arlington VA; and Shanna Finnegan, Olympia WA. Nine great-grandchildren and step-grandchildren, including Ally, Jade, Kaitlyn and Tristan Spring all of Custer.
He was preceded in death by first wife, Evelyn (Downen) Spring and infant daughter; and second wife, Martha (Korthaus) Masters Spring.

Visitation will be Wednesday, August 1, 2007, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Funeral Services will be held 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 2, 2007 at McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Interment will follow at the Custer Cemetery in Custer.

Memorials may be sent in Kenneth's name to the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, 624 Crook St, Custer 57730.

Arrangements have been placed in the care of McColley's Chapel of the Hills in Custer. Written condolences may be made at www.mccolleyschapels.com.