SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Former President Jimmy Carter entered hospice care in early 2023, spending his remaining days at home instead of a hospital. Before his death Sunday at the age of 100, he became the longest-living president in history. Carter was elected to the White House in 1976 and served one term. The 39th president was no stranger to South Dakota. A KELOLAND News crew was on hand as he was visiting the Sieverding farm west of Hartford in 1976.
“Carter saw hogs, cattle, corn and learned about the problems of one South Dakota farmer firsthand,” said KELOLAND reporter Brian Bjerke.
After losing to Ronald Regan in 1980, Carter and his wife Roslynn formed the Carter Center in Atlanta. The nonprofit would go on to improve health care, observe elections, and overcome the stigma of mental health issues around the world. He earned a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002.
However, he may be best known to some for his involvement in Habitat for Humanity.
“By the end of this week, there will be 30 brand new homes completed and occupied by families who I think will be very happy,” Carter told KELOLAND News.
In 1995 he talked with KELOLAND’s Angela Kennecke while helping build some homes in Eagle Butte.
“Jimmy Carter worked right alongside everybody else, was swinging a hammer doing all the things he knew how to build homes and it was pretty impressive,” said Kennecke.
She spent a week in Eagle Butte, and says the project brought in around a thousand volunteers. Kennecke remembers Carter as a kind man.
“When I got the chance to interview him he was so down to earth. He was so kind, exactly what you would expect right, he was the man that you saw,” said Kennecke.
The Carter Center said he died peacefully Sunday afternoon in Plains, Georgia, surrounded by his family. Governor Noem has ordered flags in the state to be flown at half-staff until January 28th to honor the former president.
