Dennis Alphonse Kleinschmit

YANKTON, S.D. — Dennis Alphonse Kleinschmit Sr., 79, Yankton, S.D., died unexpectedly Oct. 24, 2023, at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton.

Mass of Christian Burial was Oct. 28 at St. Benedict Catholic Church, Yankton, with Rev. Tom Anderson officiating. The funeral was also live streamed on Dennis’s obituary page at www.wintzrayfuneralhome.com.

Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery, at a later date.

Honorary pallbearers are his precious grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Visitation and a vigil service were Oct. 27 at Wintz & Ray Funeral Home, Yankton, and continued one hour prior to the funeral at the church.

Dennis was born Dec. 19, 1943, in Yankton, S.D., to Gerald and Irene (Pinkelman) Kleinschmit. He grew up on a farm near Hartington, where he attended District 82 Country School. Dennis then attended Fordyce High School and Wynot High School. He married Patricia McGinnis Nov. 6, 1965, at Sacred Heart Church, Yankton. After their marriage, they made their home in Yankton, where they raised eight children.

Dennis was a mechanic by trade and was a very hard worker. He worked in manufacturing most of his life, first at the Freeman Company, then at Wilson Trailer, Kolberg-Pioneer and Ehresmann Engineering. He also worked with his sons, Rick and Jamie, at Pro Landscape, Yankton.

Dennis loved classic cars and tractors and would often work on them in his spare time. He was a “jack of all trades” and could fix almost anything. He was active in the Yankton Boxing Club, where he coached many kids including his sons, Dennis and Rick.

Dennis and Pat loved to dance and they could really “cut a rug.” He loved animals, especially his dog, Herbie. He and Pat also loved to travel and were blessed to go to Hawaii twice to visit their daughter, Amy and family. Dennis had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to joke around. He treasured his family, especially the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Dennis is survived by eight children, Dennis Jr. (Jackie) Kleinschmit, Yankton, S.D.; AmySue (Craig) Anderson, Yankton, S.D.; Rick (Sheila) Kleinschmit, Yankton, S.D.; Melissa Flamming, Lincoln; Kelly Kleinschmit, Hartford, S.D.; Heidi Kleinschmit, Yankton, S.D.; Jamie Kleinschmit, Yankton, S.D.; and Tiffany Kleinschmit, Yankton, S.D.; 13 grandchildren, Brittany, Brent, Brady, Kassie, Miranda, Brooke, Briana, Shelby, Jazlyn, Tayten, Tucker, Karsen and Ireland; nine great-grandchildren, Sophie, Bexley, Natalie, Historia, Kaylee, Kasen, Aiden, Mira and Remington; sister, Eileen Kusel, Hartington; four brothers, Clinton (Chevonne) Kleinschmit, Madison, S.D.; Gerald Kleinschmit, Yankton, S.D.; Roman Kleinschmit, Fordyce; and Dale (Sandy) Kleinschmit, Norfolk; two sisters-in-law, Connie Kleinschmit, Wichita, Kan., and Carolyn Kleinschmit, Yankton, S.D.; brother-in-law, Daryl Lammers, Hartington; and many nieces and nephews.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Patricia, May 23, 2022; two sisters, Dorothy Tramp and Joan Lammers; two brothers, Charles and Ronald Kleinschmit; two sisters-in-law, Phyllis and Sharon Kleinschmit; and brother-in-law, Jim Kusel.

In lieu of flowers, memorials would be preferred to the Heart Hospital for their wonderful care.