Mitch Faulkner died April 29, 2024 at home in Spearfish due to complications from his battle with leukemia.
His funeral service will be held at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church in Spearfish, SD on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at 10:30 am.
He is preceded in death by his parents, and is survived by his wife Angie, son Jack, daughters Maggie and Libby, and sister Kristy.
Mitch Faulkner was born March 20, 1973 in Sidney, MT to Dean and Sandy Faulkner. Mitch grew up in eastern Montana, spending most of his time outdoors enjoying farm and ranch endeavors through his work and with his parents and family. These experiences were formative in the rest of his life. He attended local schools and upon graduation enlisted in the US Air Force where he served until 1995. Mitch attended college at the University of Wyoming, the University of Nebraska, and North Dakota State University, ultimately earning his Bachelor’s and Master’s of Science Degrees in Rangeland and Animal Sciences. While in college, Mitch met Angie Huska. They became inseparable, and were married in 2003. Angie and Mitch spent their early life together beginning their careers and exploring the Rocky Mountain and central Great Plains regions where they started their family in 2006. Jack came along first, and then Maggie in 2008. Libby perfectly finished out their family in 2012. Mitch and Angie moved to Spearfish, SD in 2011 where they decided to put down roots and raise their family.
Mitch spent his career committed to the conservation of western rangelands with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. He had a passion for the landscapes, plants, animals, and people of the western US and worked hard to improve the unique natural resources there. He deeply valued the sense of camaraderie he developed with his professional colleagues and enjoyed his many friendships made within the ranching community.
Mitch especially loved spending time outdoors with his family, whether it was near home in the Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains, or venturing away during any break they could find to explore new mountains, forests, or deserts. He hopes his family continues to explore that sense of wanderlust and curiosity of the natural world.
