ABERDEEN, S.D. – Mass of Christian Burial for Samuel Mark Kenser, 15, of Aberdeen will be 10:30 a.m. Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Aberdeen. A liturgical wake service is at 7 p.m. Thursday with visitation from 4-7 p.m. at the church. In lieu of flowers, the family prefers memorials to Frederick Athletic Program, PO Box 46, Frederick, SD 57441. The family wishes to thank the SD Highway Patrol, Brown County Sheriff’s Office, FBI, Brown County Ambulance Service, Columbia Fire Department, Leola/Frederick administrators and all the community for their outpouring of support. Carlsen Funeral Home and Crematory of Aberdeen has been entrusted with arrangements.

Sam died Feb. 21, 2015.

Samuel Mark Kenser, son of Kelly and Christine “Tina” (Nuese) Kenser was born Oct. 14, 1999, at Beaumont, Texas. When he was a small child, his family moved to Aberdeen. Sam started school at Roncalli Elementary. In the 5th grade he transferred to Frederick Public School. He was very close to his grandparents, whom he called Nana and Poppy.

Sam was a very bright young man and excelled in school. He was very active in the Frederick High School and enjoyed being involved with Math Counts. He loved the rural farm life, especially with his grandparents next door. He participated in football, basketball, track and baseball. Playing sports was a big part of Sam’s life, but along with sports came some wonderful friendships. Alongside his friends, he learned all about teamwork and sportsmanship.

Grateful for having shared Sam’s life are his parents, Kelly and Tina; two brothers, Kyle Kenser and Jake Kenser; one sister, Kathryn “Katie” Kenser; maternal grandparents, Connie and Mark Nuese of Aberdeen; uncle, Jeremy Nuese of Minneapolis and three cousins, Brendon, Devon and Madi Nuese.

He was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents.