Lori Nielsen

of Murdo, South Dakota, died on Saturday, December 10, 2022
at the Maryhouse in Pierre at the age of 58

Lori was born February 9, 1964 in Kadoka, South Dakota. She was the seventh child of nine and fourth daughter to parents, Daryl (Pete) and Linda Kerns.


Lori attended school in Murdo and had many life-long childhood friends. Lori moved to Nevada in the early 1990s and in 1995, she gave birth to her beloved son, Clayton Evans. Lori and Clayton moved back to Murdo in 1998 in order to be closer to family and to help with the family business.

Lori had a variety of interests and hobbies, including collecting hats, motorcycle riding, gardening, and decorating. She loved spending her spare time in her "fairy" garden in the back yard of her home. She also loved going on road trips with family and friends, especially if it was on her Harley. Over the past couple of years what she loved more than anything else was to spend time with her grandson, Daxton. Her favorite thing was to spoil him and sneak him candy when mom and dad weren't looking.

We will all miss her quick wit, sense of humor, and her kindness and willingness to help those in need.

Survivors include her son Clayton Evans and his wife Becky of Scotland; a grandson Daxton; her mother Linda Kerns of Murdo; five siblings Brenda (Kerns) Polk of Hunstville, Alabama, Michele McNeely of Murdo, Connie (Kelly) Kralicek of Dickenson, North Dakota, Bart Kerns of Murdo, and John (Carrie) Kerns of Mesa, Arizona; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Lori was preceded in death by her father, Daryl (Pete) Kerns, brothers Steve, Mike, Kim and his wife Lori, and brother-in-law, Jim McNeely.

Graveside services will be held 10:00 a.m. CDT on Saturday, June 10, 2023, at the Murdo Cemetery, with Pastor Ray Greenseth officiating.

A gathering will follow at the Buffalo Bar immediately following the graveside services.

Service Details

A gathering will follow at the Buffalo Bar immediately following the graveside services.

Guest Book

R.I.P. Lori, one of a kind. Your absence will be felt by so many. God bless, fly high angel.
   ~ Billy & Karla Wyly (12/13/2022)
So sorry for your loss- holding you in my prayers
   ~ RobinEddy Rapid City (12/14/2022)
So very sorry for your loss. I will miss her memes on facebook that she always posted. She was a great gal.
   ~ Cindy Jost 110 Washington Ave. (12/13/2022)
Thoughts and prayers! So sorry for your loss.
   ~ Glenda Poppe Sioux Falls (12/14/2022)
Prayers for the entire family during this time of loss, grief and remembrance. R.I.P "Red" (what my dad affectionately called Lori).
   ~ Christine Iversen Strait Mesa, AZ (12/14/2022)