Obituary of Dennis L. Ekeren

Denny was born on January 13, 1945 to Olaf and Lucille (Warden) Ekeren and joined ten brothers and sisters on their family farm outside of Mission Hill, SD. Denny attended and graduated from Volin High School in 1964. During these years he participated in sports and helped out on the family farm. In 1968 he married Janice Jorgensen and they made their home In Mission Hill where they raised their two children, Lindy and Jeff.

After high school, Denny worked construction and then worked for Clem's Tire Service until 1988 when he moved his family to Lead, SD. There he and Janice managed Barefoot Condominiums until 1995 when they returned to Yankton. He worked for Horlyk Construction until 2000.

In 1998, his wife Janice passed away. In 2000, Denny underwent cardiac by-pass surgery and was unable to return to work due to chronic health issues. In 2003 Denny and his girlfriend Connie Johnson moved back to Lead, SD where they remained until November 2018 when they returned to Yankton due to some health issues. Denny enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, canning his famous pickled beets, playing Pinochle with his brothers, going for "back road" rides looking for asparagus, berries and wildlife. He was a die-hard Dodger's and Colt’s fan and never missed watching them play. Most of all, Denny enjoyed visiting with his family and friends while drinking a few beers.

Dennis is survived by his children, Lindy Ekeren Slagle of Yankton, SD, Jeff (Tanya) Ekeren, of Yankton, SD; his girlfriend, Connie Johnson of Yankton, SD; grandchildren: Amber (Brandon) Tucker of Yankton,SD, Samantha (John) Chase and Hunter Ekeren, both of Yankton, SD and Jaxon Slagle of Yankton; three great-grandchildren: Riley & Gracelyn Tucker and Bentley Munns; five brothers: Maurice (BJ) of Yankton, SD, Darrell (June) of Mission Hill, SD, Marvin (Marilyn) of Yankton, SD, Milford (Helen) of Yankton, SD and James (Donna) Ekern of Florida and two sisters, Bonnie Silvernail of Platte, SD and Judy (Bob) Hackett of Yankton, SD; Connie's children: Donna (LaRae) lee of Volin, SD, Michelle (Beau) Paulson of Yankton, SD, Tammy Johnson of Yankton, SD and Lowell (Melisa) Janssen Jr. of Yankton, SD and many nephews and nieces.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Olaf and Lucille; his wife, Janice; two brothers, Bob (Tubby) Ekeren and Gene Ekern; sister Sharon Ekern; brother-in-law, Murray Lichliter, sisters-in-law, JoEtta Ekeren, Rose Ekeren and Kay Ekeren.