Funeral services will be live streamed through the Burke Union Baptist Church Facebook page.

In Lieu of Flowers, Donations May Be Made To Camp Judson, Gregory County Shooting Sports or the Burke Community Foundation.

Dennis L. Lengkeek was born May 31, 1947 at Volga, South Dakota to Peter and Wilhelmina (VanBeek) Lengkeek and died January 21, 2023 at Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls, South Dakota at the age of 75 years.

Denny was the oldest joined by three sisters: Sylvia, Bonnie and Rose.  Denny attended the Volga Christian School through the 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, Kansas.  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 would work 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, Texas.  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, South Dakota and were married June 22, 1973.  In August of that same year he was hired as a Conservation Officer, stationed in Martin, South Dakota 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 after his second son, Wade Michael was born February 28, 1979.

Early in his career, he was recognized by supervisors and co-workers that he gave 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.

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; 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.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Union Baptist Church in Burke.  Burial will be in the Graceland Cemetery of Burke.  There will be a prayer service on Sunday at 7:00 P.M. at the Church.  Visitation will be one hour prior to both services at the church.