Erhart E. Denke

Erhart Edwin Denke, age 90, Sturgis, S.D., was called home Dec. 18, 2017, surrounded by family.

 

Erhart Edwin was born May 15, 1927, to Henry and Esther (Eisenbraun) Denke. He grew up on the family farm north of Creighton along with his siblings and attended Hammon country school.

 

Erhart enlisted in the U.S. Army Dec. 22, 1948, and transferred to the U.S. Army Reserve Dec. 22, 1949. He was honorably discharged on Dec. 21, 1951. During the Korean War, he worked as a medical technician in the Tokyo Army Hospital.

 

On June 1, 1955, he was united in marriage to Alice Hirchert in Quinn. To this union, six children were born. Erhart and Alice raised their family on the farm north of Creighton. Erhart also worked various other businesses including a spraying business, D&H Gas Station, and the country store to name a few.

 

Erhart enjoyed spending time with friends and family, hunting, fishing, attending auctions and traveling.

 

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Alice, Sturgis; his children, Kenneth (Nancy), Creighton, Debbie (Marty) Gartner, Philip, Bruce, Sturgis, and Michael, Sturgis; grandchildren, Zachary Denke, Kari Denke, Coddy (Rachael) Gartner, Katrina Gartner and Tyler Gartner; great-grandchildren, Kiara Perkins, Andy Grimes, Maria Denke and Fisher Trautmann; brother-in-law, Jimmy Hirchert; and nephew, Justin Hirchert.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Denke and Esther Votroubek; daughter, Barbara; son, Carl; brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold and Hilda Denke, Helmuth and Marie Denke, Adolph and Violet Denke, Julius Denke, and Eugene and Marge Denke; sister and brother-in-law, Clara and Thurston Crose.

 

Services were held Wednesday, Dec. 27, 2017, at Blessed Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Pastor John Fries officiating. 

 

Burial with military honors was at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

 

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.kinkadefunerals.com