Kelly Athey

Kelly Athey, age 65, of Big Stone City, SD, passed away on Friday, May 22, 2026, at Ortonville Area Health Services Hospital after a brief battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, May 29, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at Big Stone Tabor Church in Big Stone City, SD. Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 28, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD, with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday. Pastor Sandy Marquardt will officiate the service, and burial will take place at a later date.

Kelly Wayne Athey was born on September 18, 1960, in Ortonville, MN, to Russel and Janet (Smith) Athey. He grew up in Big Stone City, SD, where he became a valued member of the community.

After graduating from Ortonville High School, Kelly enlisted in the United States Army, proudly serving for six years. It was his life dream to navigate the open roads as a truck driver, eventually owning and operating Kelly Athey & Son Trucking.

Kelly’s life truly changed when he met the love of his life, Gayla Gottschalk. They married May 23, 1993, beginning a beautiful journey that spanned 33 wonderful years. Together, they built a loving family, and nothing brought Kelly more joy than spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren.

Kelly was a member of First English Lutheran Church in Ortonville. He was the type of person who would go out of his way to help anyone in need, always wearing his own unique sense of humor and warm smile that lit up the room. He would often tell people that he was born in Cub Run, KY, on the Fourth of July: a joke he and his family fondly remember. Kelly had a soft spot for animals and formed connections with everyone he met.

Kelly is survived by his loving wife, Gayla Athey of Big Stone City, SD; his children: Ashley (Dustin) Hanson of Ortonville, MN; Brittni (Jon) Hintz of Valley Springs, SD; and Nick Athey of Big Stone City, SD; his grandchildren: Jaden, Jenna, Martino, Mia, MaKiyah, Mason, Marcus, and Harlow; sisters: Nancy (Arlyn) Birkholz; and Robin (Roger) Tietjen; brothers: Randy (Linda) Athey, Ronnie (Ginger) Athey, and Monty (Lynn) Athey; his mother, Janet Athey; his mother-in-law, Dorothy Aguilera Black-Bear; father-in-law, Galen Gottschalk; brother-in-law, Terry Gottschalk; along with many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Russel Athey; and sister, Debbie Athey.