Kevin Whalen, from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, peacefully passed away at Ava’s Hospice House on Friday, January 16, 2026, with his family by his side. He was 70 years old.

Kevin Ray Whalen was born on August 10, 1955, in Pierre, South Dakota, to George “Ray” and Bernadette (née Moriarty) Whalen. He lived with his parents and sisters, Dee and Colleen, in Pierre until 1962, when the family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota. Kevin graduated with honors from Aberdeen Roncalli High School in 1973.

After high school, Kevin followed his parents to the Black Hills and began his college education at Black Hills State University in Spearfish, South Dakota. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an Accounting emphasis, graduating with honors in 1977.

Kevin began his professional career with the Internal Revenue Service in September, 1977, and worked there for approximately 27 years. He retired in December, 2005, on excellent terms, proudly receiving the Albert Gallatin Award, which is the Treasury Department’s highest honor for exemplary career service.

In his personal life, Kevin met the love of his life, Teri Rosemeyer, in Rapid City, South Dakota, on September 15, 1979. The couple married on February 21, 1981, in Aurora, Colorado. Over their 46 years together, they shared their lives with three beloved dogs: MaGee, an Irish Setter; Bailey, a Gordon Setter; and Annie, also a Gordon Setter.

In his spare time, Kevin enjoyed golfing, cooking, biking, spending time with his dogs, tending to his orange tree in Arizona, and exploring new and used Audis at the dealership. He also had a passion for music.

Kevin is survived by his wife, Teri Whalen, of Sioux Falls, SD; his sister, Colleen (Joe) Roper, of Durango, CO; his niece, Cindy (Rob) Matter, of Mesa, AZ; and his nephew, Chad (Anita) Loseth, of Rapid City, SD. In addition, Kevin is survived by sisters-in-law, Susan (Bill) Prochaska, Pam Eagles, and Julie Jenniges, together with brothers-in-law, Tim Hoime, Johnnie Kamm, and Tom Vaughan, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, George” Ray” and Bernadette Whalen; his sister, Delores “Dee” Hoime (née Whalen); his aunt, Sr. Marie Patrice Moriarty; his mother and father-in-law, Norb and Rita Rosemeyer; his nephew, Dr. Matthew Eagles; brothers-in-law, Dick Jenniges and Derek Eagles; and two sisters-in-law, Jill Kamm and Vicki Vaughan.

A funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, January 22, 2026, at Prince of Peace Sacred Heart Chapel, located at 4500 Prince of Peace Place, Sioux Falls, SD 57103. A visitation will take place from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, January 21, 2026, at Miller Funeral Home – Downtown, located at 507 S. Main Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57104.

 Kevin will be laid to rest at East Dubuque Cemetery in East Dubuque, Illinois, on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

The Miller Funeral Home of East Dubuque, IL, is assisting the family.