Obituary of Dorothy Schenk

SCHENK DOROTHY JANE

Dorothy J. Schenk, age 84 of Irene, SD passed away early Thursday, November 09, 2023 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD.  Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Monday, November 13, 2023 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Irene, SD with Rev. Mark Ostrem officiating.  The burial will be in the Bang Cemetery, rural Freeman, SD at approximately 3:30 PM Monday afternoon.  Visitations will be from 5 to 7 PM, Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Calvary Lutheran Church, Irene, SD and then one hour prior to the service at the church.  The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Crematory, Yankton, SD is assisting with the service details.  Online condolences may be sent at: www.opsahl-kostelfuneralhome.com.  Live streaming of Dorothy’s service will be found at: https://my.gather.app/remember/dorothy-schenk. 

Dorothy Jane Schenk was born September 16th, 1939 in rural Viborg, SD to Joe and Olga Gran.  She was baptized at Bang Lutheran Church of Rural Viborg and confirmed at Turkey Valley Lutheran Church, rural Irene.

Dorothy married Larry Schenk on September 28th, 1962 at the Irene Lutheran Church. Larry and Dorothy farmed in the Menno area for several years before moving to Irene.  Larry worked for the City of Irene and took a job with Yankton County for 20+ years. Dorothy loved dancing, she and Larry never missed when the Swingsters were playing.  Together they also enjoyed bowling, roller skating, watching volleyball, fishing, trips to the Black Hills, and watching her grandchildren was a favorite of hers. 

Larry & Dorothy were blessed with three sons, Daron, Daniel, and Lonnie.  Dorothy enjoyed attending all their school functions, all sports, parades, and whatever was going on. 

She attended grade school at Lincoln School, rural Irene.  She then attended Irene High School, graduating in 1958. After high school, Dorothy went on to Stewarts School of Hairdressing in Sioux Falls, SD.  She worked for several beauty salons & funeral homes doing hair, Dale Electronics for 4 years, and for Sunset Manor for 21 years, which was her favorite job. At Sunset Manor, Dorothy started out as an Aide, then took the Activity Director position where she got to put her hair styling to work every week.  She enjoyed fixing, combing, her sets, and she was so proud of how nice all the residents looked.  When there was a party, she saw to it they all looked nice as well.  Dorothy enjoyed taking them fishing and would often bring someone to her home for supper.  Dorothy took care of her Mother-in-Law in her home for 11 years, prior to her she also took care of Winnie for several years in her home. For several years Dorothy enjoyed working in her son Daron’s convenient stores. Dorothy was voted “Businesswoman of the Year” and was also the Parade Marshall.  Anybody that knew Dorothy knew how much she loved April Fools Day and making phone calls to sing Happy Birthday! 

Thankful to have shared her life are her three sons: Daron (Kim) of Platte, SD and their children Nicole (Tyler) Kruse of Irene, SD, Cody (Hannah) Schenk of Ponca, NE; Daniel (Heather) Schenk of Irene, SD and their children Natalie Schenk of St Paul, MN, Miranda (Jordan) Holland of Watertown, SD, Holly (Brian) Steffen of Vermillion, SD, Dana Schenk of Watertown, SD, Carl Thompson of Washington, Carissa (Rob) Ganschow of Wakonda, SD, Trevor Thompson of Omaha, NE, Tessa (Riley) Cameron of Yankton, SD;  Lonnie (Cindy) of Irene, SD and their children Lexy (Maxwell) Zotz of Dallas, TX, Lydia Schenk of Sioux Falls, SD, Nikki Rudd of Sioux Falls, SD, and Natalie Rudd of Irene, SD, her sister Deb McConniel of Viborg, SD, sister-in-law Norma Gran of Irene, SD. Great-Grandchildren: Jett, Veda, Estie, Everlie, Colter, Bly, Adelyn, Lynnette, Lainey, Beau, Brax, Kate, Eilee, Lennon, Breken and Millie. Many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. 

Dorothy was welcomed into Heaven by her beloved husband Larry, her parents Joe & Olga Gran, mother and father in law Ted & Lorene Schenk, siblings: John, Joanne, Jim, and Shelley and her great niece Angie Mellem.