Dennis Lengkeek

Funeral services for Dennis Lengkeek were held on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. at the Union Baptist Church in Burke, SD, with Pastor Mark Tuttle officiating.

Music was provided by The King’s Men, vocals, and Jane Tuttle, pianist. Donna Skalla and Kathy Petersen were in charge of registration. Flower attendants were Nancy Nelson and Marlis Nelson.

Casket bearers were Ivan Nelson, Eric Nelson, Curt Vakiner, Steve Mayer, Kelly Frank, and Doug Lindquist.

Interment was in the Graceland Cemetery in Burke, SD. Clausen Funeral Home of Burke, SD, was in charge of arrangements.

Dennis L. Lengkeek was born May 31, 1947 at Volga, SD, to Peter and Wilhelmina (VanBeek) Lengkeek.

Denny was the oldest, joined by three sisters: Sylvia, Bonnie, and Rose. Denny attended the Volga Christian School through eighth grade and then graduated from Sioux Valley High School in 1965. He then pursued a wildlife biology degree from SDSU. His military experience came through college ROTC. He went to summer camp at Fort Riley, KS. He achieved his B.S. in wildlife biology and his commission as a medical officer in January of 1970.

In the summers between college, he worked for the GF&P doing research on giant Canadian geese, and working as a fisheries biologist. He entered the Army, and was stationed at Fort Sam Houston, TX. His entire tour of duty was spent there as a unit medical officer for combat medic trainees. After his tour ended, he returned to SDSU and began working on his M.S. in wildlife biology, which he accomplished in May of 1973. His research dealt with Canadian goose restoration in western South Dakota.

Dennis and Shirley met in Kadoka, SD, and were married June 22, 1973. In August of that same year, he was hired as a conservation officer, stationed in Martin, SD, until August of 1978. During the years in Martin, Cody Lee, his first son, was born September 18, 1975. When Cody was three, Den went to visit Leonard Bancroft, who was close to retiring and fell in love with Gregory County. He moved his family there in August of 1978 and shortly afterward his second son, Wade Michael, was born February 28, 1979.

Early in his career, he was recognized by supervisors and co-workers as giving 125% to his work, and was presented the Shikar Safari Award or Wildlife Officer of the Year in 1979. Gregory County was about to experience his love and dedication to his job for the next 25 years. After working as a WCO, he continued working as a shooting preserve inspector and traveled the entire state for several years. His retirement highlights were traveling to Alaska in 2007, gatherings with grandchildren, singing and church activities, antler shed hunting, making antler lamps and chandeliers, and frequent coffee breaks with friends.

He died January 21, 2023, at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, SD, at the age of 75 years.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents Peter and Wilhelmina. Dennis is survived by his wife Shirley (Swigert) Lengkeek; sons: Cody (Katie) and their children Braden and Henry Lengkeek, and Wade (Julie) and their children Willa, Avyn, and Nixon Lengkeek; his sisters: Sylvia (Jim) Eekhoff, Bonnie Lengkeek, and Rose (Steve) Fear; as well as several nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.