Dennis Ray Juhnke, 73, of Mitchell passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2022 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD.  Visitation will be held on Monday, March 21, 2022 at Will Funeral Chapel in Mitchell, SD.  Visitation will be from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM with a special time of sharing at 11:00 AM.  Lunch will follow at the Moose Lodge. To help defray cost of the funeral expenses the family would appreciate memorial in lieu of flowers.

Dennis was born on February 20, 1949 to Clarence and Delores (Fuerst) Juhnke in Mitchell, SD. He grew up in the Parkston area where he attended school through the eighth grade.  Even though he did not have the opportunity to attend high school or college, he was extremely intelligent and could design and build almost anything.

Dennis married Elsie Weekley on December 30, 1966; together they raised three children.  They had one child, William who passed away shortly after his birth.  The couple recently celebrated their 55 ^th wedding anniversary.

In 1973, Dennis and Elsie moved to Mitchell, SD where Dennis ran his own construction business for several years.  He later worked at Syncom as the maintenance manager and at Mitchell Plastics.

His dream was to share his knowledge and love of fishing, so in 2000, he and Elsie founded and ran the Platte Creek Store until 2017, when they retired.  Dennis was thought of as the "unofficial" mayor of Platte Creek.

In his younger days Dennis enjoyed racing cars.  His passion was fishing, hunting and being outdoors.  In 1980 he and his father, Clarence purchased land in the Black Hills and designed and built a cabin, which was known as Mile High Deer Camp.  He enjoyed going there to hunt with his family and friends.  It was also a great retreat for many of his family members and friends.  He continued to enjoy building things even after retirement and his health made it more difficult.  He helped his daughter Shari build a deck while in his wheelchair.  Spending time with his grandchildren, teaching them to appreciate the outdoors was one of his most loved pastimes.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Elsie, children; Brenda (Craig) Freidel, Jeff (Chris) Juhnke, Shari (Keith Briggs) Juhnke-Foster, grandchildren; Allysa, Logan, Noah, Jacob, Abby, Jaycie, Sydnee, Reed, Elise. One great grandchild, Freya Claire with her sibling to arrive in April. Brothers; Larry (Winona) Juhnke, Donny (Cindy) Juhnke, sisters; Bonnie (Troy) Bollock, Connie Juhnke, Peggy (Dennis) Huber, many aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family as well as a multitude of close friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, son, William, brothers' in-law, Alvin Weekely, Bob Weekley, sisters' in-law, Evelyn Majerus, Violet Weekley, and Viola Weekley.