Tristin W. Kuehn, 20, of Brookings, passed away Thursday, March 14, 2019, at Avera McKennan Hospital, in Sioux Falls, surrounded by his family and friends, following a tragic fall.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at GracePoint Wesleyan Church, in Brookings. Rude’s Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to the Brookings Regional Humane Society or the Tristin Kuehn Memorial Scholarship through Brookings Rangers Hockey at any First Bank and Trust location.
Tristin William Kuehn was born on April 17, 1998, in Brookings, the son of Kyle and Carla (Cecchini) Kuehn. Tristin attended Brookings Schools and graduated in 2016. Growing up, hockey was Tristin’s passion! During his high school years, Tristin was fortunate enough to pursue his dream of playing hockey nationally, playing for the Iowa Wild in Des Moines and in Atlanta, GA, for the Thunder. After graduation, he continued his education at Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, for diesel mechanics and was set to graduate this coming May. Tristin could also be found helping his dad with farming and operating the newly built hog facility.
In his spare time, Tristin could be found hunting, fishing and snowmobiling, with his friends at his side. He loved to travel and spend time with his grandparents, friends and even their parents. Tristin was never shy with anyone and always made himself at home wherever he landed.
Tristin was weeks away from conquering his lifelong dream of farming his own land – a dream that began as he napped behind the seat of his father’s tractor cab and farmed with corn kernels on his grandparents’ living room floor. Tristin loved his kitty, A.K. and any other wandering kitty that crossed his path, because any real man loves kitties! He deeply loved his family and will always be remembered for his big heart and his willingness to help others. As a son, brother, grandson, cousin, nephew and friend, he was truly one of a kind.
Grateful for having shared his short yet impactful life are his parents, Carla Kuehn, of Brookings, and Kyle (Linda) Kuehn, of Brookings; maternal and paternal grandparents, Ricardo and Nilda Cecchini, of West Palm Beach, FL and Wayne and Phyllis Kuehn, of Arlington; uncles and aunts, Kevin (Liz) Kuehn, of Rapid City, Michelle Minor, of Plano, TX, Monica (Dennis) Brown, of Boynton Beach, FL and Sandra (Mike) Maier, of Gulfstream, FL; and his eight cousins, Ashley and Haley Minor, Alex and Andy Kuehn, Danielle Caudill and Dennis Brown Jr., and Kendall and Brandon Maier.
He was preceded in death by his sister, Trinity Kuehn, and his Aunt Ginnie.
As a result of his sister’s death and prior to his passing, Tristin registered to be an organ donor – a simple checkmark on his driver’s license that allowed him to impact the lives of over 60 donor recipients.
Condolences may be sent to the family through www.rudesfuneralhome.com.
