Dennis J. Holzapfel

Dennis John "DJ" Holzapfel, age 82, passed away on Thursday, June 16, at the Dougherty Hospice House after a lengthy illness. Mass of Christian Burial will begin at 10:30 A.M. Monday, June 20, 2011, at the St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church, Garretson. Visitation with the family present will be from 2-4:00 P.M. Sunday at the Minnehaha Funeral Home, Garretson and will resume at 6:00 P.M. at the church with a Prayer Service and Rosary at 7:00 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to a local charity of the donor’s choice.

Dennis was born July 9, 1928, at home in Garretson, SD, to John and Esther "Babe" (Jordahl) Holzapfel. Dennis grew up in Garretson, attended school, and graduated in 1946. He married Betty Vandersnick on April 10, 1950 at St. Rose of Lima Rectory in Garretson. Due to a blizzard, their wedding dance was canceled.

Dennis and Betty lived in Garretson two years and had two sons, Steven and Richard. Dennis was employed with the gas pipeline and they moved throughout the Midwest in their small trailer. Returning to Garretson in 1956, they built a new home on the east side and had their only daughter, Sharon. Their last son, Charles, was born after moving the family to a farm west of Garretson. The family then moved to a farm by Sherman, SD. For the past several years they have resided in Garretson.

Throughout the years he worked at the lumber yard and in construction--several of those years with Gil Haugan Construction. He retired from construction in 1988 and began working at the Garretson school as a custodian until his retirement in 1996 due to health.
In his younger years, Dennis enjoyed playing all sports, especially fast pitch softball. He was a member of the Garretson team that placed second in the State. Later in life he enjoyed golfing, fishing, gardening, and woodworking. His main enjoyment was spending time with his family.

He is lovingly remembered by his wife of 61 years, Betty; his children, Steven (Cheryl) of Sioux Falls, SD, Richard (Cory) of Sherman, SD, Sharon (Steve) Heesch and Charles (Lori) of Garretson, SD; his grandchildren, Nancy (Mike) Kowalke, Alan (Marti Lunstra), Amy Heesch, and Julie (Jeremy) Felcher, of Sioux Falls, SD, Heather (Mike) Seeloff, Spokane, WA, and Justin (Mandy), Redwood Falls, MN; great-grandchildren, Ivy, Rebecca, Kyra, Abby, Dandre, Keegan, and Hadley; a sister-in-law, Marian Anderson; and a nephew Dennis (Gail) Anderson. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, and a brother-in-law.