Cecil L. Deneke, age 88, of Wessington Springs, passed away on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at Avera Weskota Medical Center. His funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at Foothills Bible Fellowship Church in Wessington Springs with burial to follow at Hope Cemetery with military rites. Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15, 2022 with prayer service to follow.
Cecil L. Deneke was born in Circle, MT on Dec. 24, 1933 to Louis Deneke and Alice (Smith) Deneke. As a young child the family moved back to the Wessington Springs area where Cecil attended country school. He worked for various farmers until being drafted to the Korean Conflict from 1953 to 1955. After being honorably discharged Cecil returned to Wessington Springs and began farming. Cecil married Doris Thompson on June 26, 1955 in Wessington Springs, SD. They had four children – Darrell, Steven, Linda and Duane. In 1989 Cecil semi-retired and he and Doris moved to town.
Cecil was a long-time member of the Templeton United Church of Christ, a member of the American Legion Willman - Fee Post 14 and the VFW, was on the Pleasant Township board for many years, was a 4-H leader, and a member of the Buggy Seat Cowboys
Cecil enjoyed playing cards, watching baseball, bowling, square dancing, riding horse, fishing, hunting, participating in wagon trains, feeding the birds and spending time with his family. In his last few years, he enjoyed taking scooter rides around town.
He is survived by his wife Doris of 67 years, his son Darrell Deneke, daughter-in-law Marcia Deneke, daughter Linda (Kelvin) Albertz, and son Duane (Janet) Deneke; six grandchildren: Katelin Deneke, Kelsey (Jon) Feuerhelm, Taylor Albertz, Jena Albertz, Dustin (Andrea) Hinker, and Braedon Hinker; four greatgrandchildren: Kash and Brynlee Feuerhelm and Hailey and Clay Hinker. Sisters – Gladys (Bob) Clemetson and Evelyn (Gary) Bradley and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Louis Deneke and Alice Deneke Anderson, son Steven Deneke, granddaughter Megan Deneke, sisters Sylva Daggett, Dora Bolt, Mary Alice Deneke in infancy and a special aunt and uncle Clara and Robert Hirsch.