Alec Whitney

of Murdo, South Dakota, died on Friday, May 13, 2022
in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota due to health complications at the age of 21

Alec Joseph Whitney, known by most as “Big Al”, was born in Pierre, South Dakota on October 17, 2000. He grew up in Murdo and attended school at Jones County through high school. Alec went on to Mitchell Technical Institute for Powerline Construction. From there he went to work for Central Electric in Mitchell, and then moved on to build electrical substations for Energy Erectors in Texas and New Mexico. After deciding Texas and New Mexico were just too far away from family and friends, he moved back home to Murdo where he helped on his family ranch and worked for Locked and Loaded installing camera systems. This past winter he started Diamond AL, LLC a snow removal business in Murdo. He recently began working for SDDOT as a traveling highway technician in Pierre.

Alec enjoyed playing all sports including baseball, basketball, football, and golf. A few of his many accomplishments were being named to the 2019 State B All-Tournament Team, All Conference in Football, and state qualifier in golf. He loved hunting, calling coyotes, shooting prairie dogs and chasing whitetail deer. He spent a lot of time with his two brothers, Gunnar and Bodie, shooting hoops, playing catch, golfing, working together on the farm and going to brandings. Alec also enjoyed listening to music, playing cards, shooting pool, playing corn hole, and drawing in his free time. He valued spending time with his family, his lifelong friend Riley Rankin, his girlfriend Rayne Hermsen, and with his numerous friends he made over the years.

Alec always had a smile on his face, gave the best hugs, and enjoyed playing pranks on his friends and family. He was a very loving, outgoing, hardworking, honest, and caring person who was able to make friends anywhere he went. He had a calming presence
that made him easy to approach and a joy to be around. He was extremely blessed and grateful in his short life to have had a very large group of wonderful family members and friends who helped contribute to Alec becoming such a great man. Alec sincerely
cherished his time spent with all his Grandparents and he is grateful for the memories they shared together. He was a great role model and friend to so many people especially to his younger brothers.

Survivors include his parents Chad and Heather Whitney; his brothers Gunnar and Bodie; his grandparents Les and Lynette Schaefer, Terri Pelle and Jim; great-grandmother Esther Magnuson; many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his great-grandparents Lynn and Ethel Sedevie and great-grandpa Eldon Magnuson.

Visitation will be held 5-7 p.m. on Friday, May 20, with a prayer service at 7:00 p.m., all at the Harold Thune Auditorium in Murdo.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at the Harold Thune Auditorium, with Father John Heying as celebrant.

Interment will be at the Murdo Cemetery.

Service Details

VISITATION
5-7 p.m. Friday, May 20, 2022
Harold Thune Auditorium
Murdo, South Dakota

MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL
Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 10:30 a.m.
Harold Thune Auditorium
Murdo, South Dakota

CELEBRANT
Father John Heying

MUSIC
Rose Comp - Pianist
Denise Gehring - Vocalist
Kiley Volmer - Cantor
"On Eagles Wings" - "Gift of Finest Wheat"
Special Music
"How Great Thou Art"
"Dancing in the Sky"
"Humble & Kind"

LECTOR
Chris Olson

REGISTER BOOK ATTENDANTS
Morgan Cantrel - Amy Gilkerson - Peyton Rankin

USHERS
Jackson Volmer - Connor Venard
Lanson Bartlett - Philip Mathews

PALLBEARERS
Camden Sawvell - Jace Giannonatti
Riley Rankin - Dalton Kinsley
Wade Kroetch - Gunnar Whitney - Devin Eppard

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All family and friends who have felt love for Alec
that are present physically and spiritually

INTERMENT
Murdo Cemetery
Murdo, South Dakota

Guest Book

Cousin to his grandmother Lynnette.
   ~ Doris Paulson Bismarck, ND (5/17/2022)
Alec was a big part of my life our senior year, though we were from different schools he always checked up on me daily to ask how I was he always put a smile on my face and his arms open wide.
   ~ Emily Gillen White River,SD (5/21/2022)
Wayne and I are terrible sorry ! Sincere sympathy! Hugs and prayers!
   ~ Karen Miller Rhame (5/17/2022)
Rhame,ND
   ~ Colleen Germann 15609 73rd St SW (5/23/2022)
May God wrap his heavenly arms around you and hold you close today and during the tough times to come. May He give you peace, love and comfort.
   ~ Amber (Kosmicki) Torgerson Bismarck, ND (5/17/2022)
We are so sorry to hear about your grandson, Les and Lynette. The sorrow of loosing a grandchild is so painful. We will pray for your family and ask Our Lord to give you the peace that passes all understanding. God Bless
   ~ Tim and Patty Sadowsky Bowman (5/18/2022)
Instructor from Mitchell during his time there. He made a big impact on his class and will greatly be missed!
   ~ Shane Mulloy Wyoming (5/17/2022)
So sorry for your loss. Thinking of you.
   ~ Bob &@and Brenda Morland Bowman, ND (5/22/2022)
So very very sorry for losing your son. My prayers are for you during this sad time
   ~ Bill Henderson Lisbon, ND (5/17/2022)
Rhame,ND
   ~ Colleen Germann 15609 73rd St SW (5/20/2022)
So sad to hear this news and have been thinking about and praying for all of you!
   ~ Steven Stofferahn DellRapids (5/19/2022)
Our thoughts and prayers are with Chad and Heather and their beautiful family.
   ~ Mike & Dawn Cromwell Butternut, Wi (5/16/2022)
Prayers for your family. We wonder why bad things happen to good people. He had so much to offer.
   ~ Orand, Ruth and Jenny Liebelt Rapid City,SD (5/20/2022)
I'm so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs and will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
   ~ Karen Bowman Miles City, Mt (5/17/2022)

Flowers

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Drew and Kati Venard and Kids
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Dusty and Heather, Rachel, Brylee, and Brooke
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Lyman School
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Myron and Evelyn
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Your Anderson Rumpca Dental Family
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Rhame School Staff
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Terry, Nancy, Sasha and Family; Chris and Family; and Blaine
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Tracy Lecoe, Steph Crimmins, Lisa Lester, Robin Thomas, Sara Miller, Angi Lewis, Kelly Hylland, Hilary Binstock, Bobbi Elkin, Renee Maynard, and Valli Hauge
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The Coller Camp and West River Excavation
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Rayne and Family
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Twix, Ginger, and Family
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Bill and Dawn Battest
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Scott, Tarra, Philip, Jolie, Madison, and Cole
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Rickita Dice
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Choice Insurance
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Nick and Chelsey Renemans and Floss Team
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The Family of Dixie Huber
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Sandy Campbell, Ron Stenkamp, and Families
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Energy Erectors
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Locked and Loaded - Jade and Bailey Konst
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City of Philip - Mayor, Council, and Employees
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Grandma Terri and Jim and Great-Grandma Esther
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Performance Foods and Rickita Dice
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The Class of 2019: Austin Olson, Morgan Fedderson, Christian Nelson, Sloan Benedict, Jacob Birkeland, Kade Brost, and Chauncey Hauptman
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Linda and Gary Couch, Sharon and Dan Ferry, Janice Whitney, Mike and June Whitney, Eric and Denice Louder, and all Families
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Tyler and Chelsee Addison and Joey Rankin
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Greg and Carma Miller and Family
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Mindy, Lindsay, Teresa and Mandy
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Mitchell Tech Buddies - Dauson Elliott, Caden Isley, Dakota Schaetz, and Brayden Barker
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Brenda and Gene, Scott and Dixie, Speck, Amy, Olivia, and Anthony
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Mclver Geigle Lew and Lab
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Alan and Jane Louder