Kendell Riter
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Kendell Kent Riter, 61, passed away Friday, November 20, 2020, at the Avantara/Lake Norden Care Center, Lake Norden, SD.
Kendell was born February 28, 1957, in Watertown, SD, the second child of Delbert and Sylvia (Stahl) Riter. He attended Lake Norden (Hamlin) School and completed his education in 1980. After school, Kendell worked at Riter's Grocery, pricing items, stocking shelves, and delivering groceries with his 3-wheel bicycle. For years he also had a daily paper route in Lake Norden.
Kendell lived with his devoted parents until 2018 when he moved into the Avantara/Lake Norden Care Center.
Kendell was a friend to everyone in Lake Norden. He was a familiar face at the baseball field, paying out dimes and quarters for foul balls and selling raffle tickets. Mornings would find him having a pop with the coffee crew at the caf? uptown. Kendell enjoyed fishing with family and friends. While fishing with his Avantara friends, he even caught a 1.44-pound crappie at Lake Poinsett that qualified Kendell as a Proud Angler!
The Minnesota Twins, Vikings and Timberwolves were Kendell's sports passion. He was always wearing shirt, hat, jackets, socks or pants from one of his favorite teams. His room celebrated the teams and players he followed over the years. Kendell was lucky to be taken to many Minnesota Twins games by his Lake Norden friends and family. Kendell and his dad even attended a Twins game during the 1991 World Series. And Kendell's brothers could count on hearing from him if his Vikings beat the Packers or Cowboys.
Kendell loved family and babies. He always wanted to be holding the newest family member. He reveled in the family celebrations, especially his father's 90th birthday party in January 2020.
Our lives were blessed by Kendell's infectious smile, good-natured teasing, and unconditional love. We will miss him dearly, but know that he is running the bases in heaven with his dad and grandparents cheering him on.
Kendell is survived by his mother, Sylvia; two brothers, Doug (Debbie D.) and Robyn (Karen); nephews, Drew (Cassie) Riter, Devon (Margerie Durban) Riter, Scott (Michelle) Riter; nieces, Dana (Brett) Jorgensen and Becca (Ryan) Tillma; great nieces Annalise Riter and Paityn Tillma; great-nephews Lincoln and Jaron Riter, Bradley and Landon Riter, and Milo and Abe Jorgensen; several aunts and uncles and numerous cousins; and the whole Lake Norden community!!!
Kendell was preceded in death by his father, Delbert.
The family is grateful to the staff at Avantara/Lake Norden Care Center for their compassionate care for Kendell.
The family will have a private service December 4, 2020.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.geisefuneralhome.com