David Lenker

Funeral services for David Lenker were held on Saturday, July 16, 2022, at 11;00 a.m. at the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Winner, SD, with Pastor Nick Barnes officiating.

Music was provided by Sandra York, pianist, and granddaughter Naomi Hofman, soloist. Donna Hughes, Deb Bice Steffen, and Eunice Willms were at the welcoming and guest table. Flower attendants were Mike and Patty Novak and Kay Mason Kramer.

Casket bearers were Brian Karstens, Luke Karstens, Seth Lenker, Will Lenker, Nolan Russell, and Stephen Russell. Honorary casket bearers were Harry and Helen Jones, John and Donna Hughes, Jess Kessis, Jack and Margie Schuyler, Cleo and Jerrene Watzel, and the local Gideon Camp.

Burial was in the Winner City Cemetery in Winner, SD.

David (Dave) Witmer Lenker was born March 2, 1933, to Witmer Remley and Etta Elizabeth (Schwitters) Lenker at the original Winner Hospital. Dave grew up on the family farm in Ideal near the location of his grandparents’ homestead site. He attended Mahoney School and Bice School in King Township, and also the Ideal School in Ideal. Growing up, he enjoyed spending time with the Lenker, Hampson, Roosa, Mason, Hibbs, Willms, and Schwinler cousins.

He attended Winner High School, excelling in academics and athletics, graduating in 1951. While in high school, he met Pat Nelson, and the couple married on July 29, 1951, and moved onto the family farm. Three children were born to this union: Lynne Marie (Doug, deceased) Simkins; Kenneth David (Cindy) Lenker; and Karla Jo (Wally) Cain.

While in Ideal, Dave farmed and served on the King Township Board and the Franklin School District Board. During this time, he became a lifetime member of the Winner Gideon Camp. Also, while raising cattle on the farm, Dave and Pat were part of the Missionary Steer Roundup. They raised and sold a steer each year and donated the proceeds to this organization. Missionaries from around the world would come and meet at the old Legion Hall in Winner. During the 1960s, Dave and Pat opened Ideal Church Supplies, a Christian bookstore in Winner. There is still a faint sign for the store across the street from the Winner Thrift Store. They sold it to Jesse Frescoln Mason in 1966, as farming, raising a family, and running a store in town were very time consuming.

In 1975, Dave and Pat moved into Winner where Dave was employed as a tax preparer with the income tax department at the First Fidelity Bank of Colome. That business later became Axtell Tax Service. He worked for these companies a total of 24 years. He also helped with the bookkeeping departments at several businesses in Winner during this time, including Fullerton Lumber Company and Winner Gas & Electric.

The center of Dave’s life was his faith, family, and friends. He was one of the founders of the Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Winner and continued being active throughout his life in many capacities there. He enjyed singing in the choir, in a quartet, or just as part of the Sunday service. He also became a member of a barbershop quartet, where he performed and enjoyed making people happy with song.

Dave was a master at fixing things. His capable carpentry hands made everything from complicated, difficult repairs to smaller, intricate, detailed repairs. His garden was meticulous and beautiful.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, brother Burton, grandson Jaden Robert Hallberg, son-in-law Doug Simkins, and great grandson Tauren Karstens.

David Witmer Lenker, 89, of Winner, SD, passed away on July 9, 2022, at his home near Canton, SD.

He is survived by Patricia, his wife of almost 71 years; three children; five grandchildren: Will (Morgan) Lenker, Seth Lenker, Heather (Brian) Karstens, Hallie (Stephen) Russell, and Naomi (Justin) Hofman; 16 greatgrandchildren; two cousins: Shirley Mason Novak and Janice Willms Sell; sisters-in-law: Helen Stone, Janet (Chuck) Warner, and Shirley McGuire; and many nephews and nieces.

As a lasting memorial to Dave, donations may be given to Gideon International.