On Sunday morning, October 26, 2025, while surrounded by family, Dennis Jay Matkins passed away at the age of 79 at the Dept. of Veterans Affairs - Ft. Meade Hospital.

Dennis (Denny) was born on January 15, 1946, to Olin and Hazel Montgomery Matkins in Rapid City, South Dakota. He grew up on the family farm and ranch in Bear Butte Valley. Denny attended Bear Butte Valley School, where he was the only student in his class for the first eight grades. He graduated from Sturgis High School, followed by a year at Black Hills State College in Spearfish. Afterward, he joined the U.S. Navy from 1966 to 1969 and was honorably discharged. Denny attended the Hawkeye Institute of Technology in Waterloo, Iowa, graduating with an Associate's degree in Animal Science. While attending Hawkeye, Denny met Janette Marie Brinkman. They were married on March 18, 1971, at Lord of Life Church in Waterloo, Iowa. That summer, they moved to Denny's home place on Spring Creek. After farming with his father, Olin, and brother, Kip, for a year, he began farming on his own at Elm Springs. He farmed there for about 18 years. After farming, Denny built a spec home, owned a strip mall, and was a partner in building the Sturgis Days Inn. Throughout his life, Denny was most thankful for and proud of his wife, Jan, and his three children: James, Chris, and Sally. It was a joy and a blessing to watch his children grow, mature, and become successful adults. His grandchildren, no doubt, are and will be ever so successful due to the loving, caring, and nurturing environment in which they are being raised by their parents.

Denny was preceded in death by his father Olin, his mother Hazel, his sister Connie Mirkovich, and his brother-in-law Michael Mirkovich Sr. and his nephew Michael Mirkovich Jr. He is survived by his wife Jan, sons James (Jennifer) of Rapid City, SD, and Chris of Fort Collins, CO, and daughter Sally Beitman (Trevor) of Bozeman, MT, and his six grandchildren: Jaden, Landen, Alex, Henry, Ansel, and Ida. He is also survived by his brother Kip (Linda), a niece, Becky Smith, and nephews Dani Matkins and Mark Mirkovich, along with several cousins.

Visitation will be held at Osheim-Schmidt Funeral Home on Sunday, November 2, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will be held on Monday, November 3, at 10:00 AM at Westminster Church. Burial will follow at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD, at 1:30 pm with full military honors rendered by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and the VFW Post 1273.

Cards may be sent to the family at 4825 Jericho Way, Apt 301, Rapid City, SD 57702.