Melvin Kainz

Melvin Kenneth “Kenny” Kainz of Custer, S.D., passed away peacefully at Monument Hospital in Custer July 11, 2026. 
Kenny was born Aug. 4, 1937, near Pierz, Minn. at home to Vernon and Vernie Kainz. He grew up with his four sisters (Gladys, Gayle, Grace and Vera) and his two brothers (Richard and Dean). He and his siblings helped his parents run a farm along the Platte River near Pierz.
In 1955, Kenny joined his father and brothers and formed Kainz Contractors. The company was based out of Pierz. They had construction projects over a five-state area: Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.
Kenny served in the U.S. Army from 1961-63 when he was honorably discharged. He stationed in Oklahoma. In 1965, the family business moved and settled in Custer.
He was married to Sue Buckles for 53 years. They were married in Custer June 2, 1973. Together they raised six children (Judy, Peggy, Larry, Shawn, Carmen and Chris). In 2005, Kenny and his youngest son, Chris, broke off from Kainz Contractors and started their own business, Kainz Powerlines. The business is still building high line and underground power lines and is still based out of Custer.
Survivors include his wife, Sue of Custer; children, Judy (Kevin) McNulty of Mesa, Ariz., Peggy (John) Aman of Rapid City, S.D., Larry (Heather) Bublitz of Apache Junction, Ariz., Shawn Kainz of Craig, Colo., Carmen (Walt) Frasier of Spearfish, S.D. and Chris (Jennifer) Kainz of Custer; siblings, Grace (Gerry) Meier of Fulda, Minn., and Vera (Terry) Ellerton of Custer; sister-in-law, Marge Kainz of Custer; eight grandchildren,  Andrea, Ashlee, Jacob, Jordan, Kyann, Jesse, Justin and Mattisen; 18 great- grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Vernon and Vernie Kainz;  two sisters and their spouses, Gladys and Gordan Babcock and Gayle and Leroy Anderson; two brothers, Richard and Darlene Kainz and Dean Kainz; and two grandsons, Nicholas Renshaw and Joshua Kainz. 
He was a kind and humble man. Not a mean bone in his body. He loved his family and friends and will be so missed. He also loved his work. He never did “officially” retire. He would’ve rather been at work than anywhere else. He was “at work” until his passing. He also had a quiet sense of humor!
A graveside service will be held 10 a.m., Tuesday, Aug. 4 at the Custer Cemetery. Immediately after the family invites you to join them for a luncheon at Mt. Rushmore Brewing Co., 140 Mt. Rushmore Rd, Custer.
Honorary pallbearers are all of you out there who were taught to be lineman by the best!
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.