Rick Kienow

Rick Kienow, 60, of Aberdeen, passed away Tuesday, October 20, 2020, at Avantara Groton in Groton, SD, following a courageous battle with cancer.

Rick’s wishes were to be cremated and his memorial service will be 2:30 p.m., Sunday, October 25, 2020, at St. John Lutheran Church, 110 East Main Street, Warner, SD, with Pastor Derek Baum officiating.  

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements. 

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Saturday, at St. John Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall, with a prayer service and time of sharing memories beginning at 7:00 p.m. 

Per Rick’s wishes, casual dress in either Minnesota Twins or Minnesota Vikings attire is requested at his services.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, 110 East Main Street, Warner, SD  57479. 

Rick Kienow was born on February 9, 1960, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Aberdeen, SD to John and Katherine “Kay” (Nieuwsma) Kienow.  He was born with Spina Bifida and spent about a month at Metropolitan Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. It was reported that Rick would live to age 5 and never walk and was soon baptized while he was at the hospital. Rick attended school in Warner, SD and graduated from Warner High School in 1978.  He then furthered his education at Northern State University in Aberdeen and graduated in 1986 with a Business Degree in Management.

Rick worked for his brother, Hank, until he became employed with the government in 1989, and remained there for 10 years.  In 1999, Rick moved to Blue Earth, MN, where he worked at Pioneer Bank. During this time, he met his future wife, Amanda.  Rick returned to Aberdeen and began working at Home Federal Bank.   In early 2001, Amanda and her children: Patrick, Ashley, and Steven, moved to Aberdeen to join him.  In 2003, Rick became Manager of Internal Medicine Associates. In spring of 2013, he decided to hang up his banking skills and retire and enjoy life.

Rick was united in marriage to Amanda Thomann on October 12, 2002, at St. John Lutheran Church in Warner.  The family made Aberdeen their home.  In June of 2019, Rick was diagnosed with cancer. The remainder of his life was spent with family and friends, living life to its fullest.  He continued to make Aberdeen his home until the time of his death.  

Blessed to have shared in Rick's life is his wife of 18 years, Amanda Kienow of Aberdeen; children:  Patrick Ays, Sr. of Sioux Falls, SD,  Ashley (Jordan) Popham of Watertown, SD and Steven Ays of Aberdeen; grandson, Patrick Ays, Jr. of Minneapolis, MN; his brother, Hank (Cathy) Kienow of The Villages, FL; his sister, Cheryl (Craig) Papke of Stratford, SD; as well as several nieces and nephews. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Kay Kienow; sister-in-law, Evelyn Kienow; and many friends and relatives.

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