Fr. Daniel G. Juelfs passed away on September 10, 2024, at the age of 77. He was born November 25, 1946, in Aberdeen, to Norbert and Adelaide (Callaghan) Juelfs. He was raised on a farm/ranch in Harding County.  He received Baptism and First Communion at St. Eulalia Church, Ralph, South Dakota and received Confirmation at St Anthony Church, Buffalo, South Dakota.

In 1965, he graduated from St. Mary High School, New England, N.D. He completed two years at St. John Vianney Seminary, Elkhorn, Neb. and six years at St. Paul Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota. He earned his Canon Law degree after studying at St. Paul University in Ottawa, Canada from 1996-1998.

He was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Harold J. Dimmerling on June 8, 1973, at St. Isidore Catholic Church in Ralph. During his years of ministry, he served 26 parishes in Perkins, Corson, Butte, Ziebach, Meade, and Pennington Counties before retiring from full-time parish ministry in 2021. Fr. Dan, as he was known by most, also served in various diocesan ministries, including judicial vicar, vicar general, vicar for clergy, College of Consultors, the presbyteral council, and finally as diocesan administrator. He served as vicar general for then-Bishop Blase Cupich and Bishop Robert Gruss reappointed him. On June 11, 2023, he celebrated a Mass of thanksgiving for his 50th anniversary of priesthood.

In 1973, he and the late Fr. Dale Kutil were instrumental in purchasing a house to serve as the Newman center, where he served as director. His ministry included Marriage Encounter chaplain and Chaplain for the Rapid City Fire Department.

He was eligible for retirement in 2016 but continued to serve in Eagle Butte and its seven mission parishes due to a shortage of priests. Later, he was assigned as parish administrator in Wall and then in Lemmon.

Fr. Dan retired from parish work in 2021 but continued to serve on the tribunal as defender of the bond and to provide sacramental coverage for parishes as needed.

Following the death of Bishop Peter Muhich, the College of Consultors of the Diocese of Rapid City elected Fr. Dan to lead the diocese on February 19, 2024.

He is survived by one sister, Marcia (Dale) Hochhalter, Brooklyn Park, MN; and two brothers, Gregory Juelfs (Dena), Buffalo, SD, and Vincent Juelfs (Karen), Huron, SD.

Fr. Dan was predeceased by his parents, Norbert and Adelaide (Leone) and his sister, Noreen.

A vigil service will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 18, 2024, at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Rapid City. Visitation will be at the church from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and the Rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m. A Christian Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19 at the Cathedral. This Mass will be live streamed at www.rapidcitydiocese.org/live and facebook.com/DioceseofRapidCity. Burial will be at Noon at the Priests' Cemetery at Terra Sancta. A reception will follow the burial at the Terra Sancta Retreat Center.

You can view the Vigil and Rosary Service for Fr. Dan at https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofRapidCity/videos/1063013191843228

You can view the Christian Funeral Mass for Fr. Dan at https://www.facebook.com/DioceseofRapidCity/videos/2763741320456818