Duane N. Bunkowske, 62, died, Wednesday, March 30, 2016 at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Duane was born on October 13, 1953 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Alvin and Helen (Sund) Bunkowske. He graduated from Stevens High School in Rapid City in 1971. He was athletically gifted and was State Track Champion in 1971 in hurdles. He still holds the low hurdle state record to date. He was active in Post 22 where he was part of 4 State Legion Baseball Championships. Following high school, Duane attended South Dakota State University, where he graduated in 1975. He earned his Master's in 1982 at Colorado School of Banking.

He married Jill Bower on June 15, 1974. They had 2 children, Matthew and Melanie.  Duane began his career in banking and was employed by the same bank for 32 years (1st National Bank of the Black Hills/Norwest Bank/Wells Fargo Bank) where he retired from Pierre in 2007 as bank President.

Duane was a passionate golfer, avid deer hunter (archery and rifle), water skier, and Junior Achievement volunteer & teacher. Some of his other accomplishments include 1990 ASA State Softball Champion, 2015 Senior 2-man State Golf Champion and Rotary Paul Harris Fellow. Duane loved his family and was a "Grandpa Extraordinaire."

He was preceded in death by his father, Alvin.

Survivors include his wife, Jill Bunkowske, Rapid City; mother, Helen Bunkowske, Helena, MT; son, Matthew (Carrie) Bunkowske, Sturgis; daughter, Melanie (Brandon) Cruse, Rapid City; two brothers, Larry (Joy) Bunkowske, Venice, FL; Dean Bunkowske, Olympia, WA; sister, Lyanne (Bob) Den Herder, Helena, MT and three grandchildren, Conor, Lilian and Oaklie Cruse.

A memorial visitation will be from 5-7 pm on Monday, April 4, at Osheim & Schmidt Funeral Home.

A celebration of his life will be at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at Calvary Lutheran Church with the Revs. David and Becky Piper officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Calvary Lutheran Church, 5311 Sheridan Lake Rd., Rapid City, SD 57702.