RAPID CITY-Dorothy J. Denke, 84, of Rapid City passed away Dec. 26th, 2017.

Dorothy Jean Denke was born Dec. 29, 1932 at the home of her grandmother, Ada Andersen, in Hot Springs, S.D. She was the first child of Melvin and Clarice Kjerstad.

Dorothy attended country schools in the area north of Quinn, S.D. and also schools in Oregon and Washington during the early World War II years. She attended Quinn High School through the 11th grade.

She married LeRoy Denke on Dec. 29, 1948 just prior to the "49 Blizzard." She was a homemaker caring for her five children.

They lived on her folks' farm where they farmed and ranched. Dorothy was a member of the Eastern Star with the Wonderland Chapter #168 of Wall, S.D. and a member of the Golden Links Chapter #14 of Rapid City.

Dorothy and LeRoy lived in San Manuel, Arizona where he worked in a copper mine for a year. They moved back to South Dakota and Rapid City where LeRoy worked at Buckingham Transportation and Barber Transportation for twenty-three years.

They ran the 7-R Campground and Antique Shop near Hill City and moved to Rapid City in 1995, where they resided until LeRoy's death in August, 2005. Dorothy moved to an apartment complex on Philadelphia Street shortly after LeRoy's death.

Dorothy's hobbies were cross-stitch, hardanger, reading and playing games with friends. Dorothy and LeRoy were married fifty-six years. They have 5 children: Michael, Patrick, Mark, LeAnn (King), and Paul. The children live in Rapid City except Mark, who lives in Helena, MT and Patrick, who lives in Sun Valley, NV.

Dorothy is survived by her five children: Michael (LuAnn), Patrick (Margaret Ruth), Mark (Jan), LeAnn King (Rex) and Paul. Dorothy has 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, James Francis Kjerstad, one granddaughter, Tanya and three daughters-in-law, Janice (Mrs. Michael Denke), Kathy (Mrs. Mark Denke), and Margaret Coleen (Mrs. Patrick Denke).

Visitation will be on Monday, January 1, 2018 from 5:00-7:00 P.M. at the Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

Services will be on Tuesday, January 2nd at 10:00 A.M. at the Funeral Home with Pastor Wilbur Holz officiating.

Interment will be at the Wall Cemetery following services.

A memorial has been established.