Alice Kundert, grand lady of South Dakota politics, died Monday at the age of 92.

Kundert served South Dakota for years starting as a teacher in a country school, before becoming an administrator in the Campbell County School System. She was elected to the town board, and later the school board. She also served as Campbell County's clerk of courts and registrar of deeds.

The people of South Dakota elected Kundert to be state auditor, where she served from 1969 to 1979. In 1979, she was elected to be the secretary of state a position she held until 1987.

Kundert tried to become South Dakota's first female governor in 1986, but failed in her bid.

Her next public service was in the legislature as a member of the House of Representatives from 1991 to 1994.

Photo from State Archives
Photo from State Archives
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Kundert was born and raised in rural Campbell County, graduated from Java High School, and attended Northern State University, back when it was called Northern Normal School.

Kundert was good for politics. She didn't care if you were a Republican or Democrat. Everybody received her respect.

Her greatest legacy is the positive influence and the role model she provided the thousands of young people she spoke with at schools, on campuses, and at boys and girls state conventions during her wonderful and well lived life.

Governor Daugaard ordered the flag at the state capitol be flown at half-staff on Thursday, the day of Kundert's funeral. The service is scheduled for 10 a.m. at the Mound City Community Center.

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