Kenneth Staack

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Kenneth Staack, an architect, age 85, died December 9, 2020 peacefully at home after a long illness.
Ken was born April 6, 1935 and grew up in Flandreau where his parents, Al and Agnes Staack owned the Ben Franklin Store on Main Street. He had the fondest memory of Flandreau High School, class of 1953--especially of Eldon Samp, the band director. Ken eventually went to New York City, taking his small town values with him. He spearheaded a progressive Catholic movement at the NYU chapel in the early 60’s. There, he met Joya Wyant, his wife of 53 years. Fifty of those years were lived at Westbeth, the Artists’ housing in lower Manhattan, where they raised their three sons, Peter, John, and David. He worked for 20 years, until his retirement, for the U.S. Postal Service as an architect and historical preservationist for post offices and facilities in the tri-state area.
Besides his wife and sons, Ken is survived by six grandchildren and his sister, Mary Dee (Staack) Zensen of Minnesota. His brother, Dean, died in childhood.  He is mourned by his family and remembered for his kindness, wit, and appreciation for the arts.