Dennis O. Folkers

RANDOLPH — Mass of Christian Burial for Dennis O. Folkers, 75, Randolph, will be 10:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 21, at the St. Jane Frances de Chantal Catholic Church, Randolph. The Rev. Kevin Vogel and Deacon Doug Tunink will officiate.

Visitation will be 4-7 p.m., Friday, at the St. Frances Catholic Church, with a vigil service at 7 p.m.

Inurnment will be at the Rose Hill Cemetery, rural McLean.

Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Loberg, Glen Gerber, John Gubbels, Matt Gubbels, Howard Gubbels and Dan Gubbels.

Military rites will be provided by the V.F.W. Alvin Kessler Post #5545, American Legion Post #113, United States Army Honors Guard and the American Legion Riders.

Dennis died Oct. 12, 2023, at his home in Randolph, surrounded by family.

Stonacek Funeral Chapel, Randolph, is in charge of the arrangements. Dennis Orville Folkers was born Sept. 20,1948, in Osmond, to Carl and Laverna (Gilsdorf) Folkers. He was raised on a farm six miles north of Randolph. He attended District 55 Country School from first to third grade, and then transferred to St. Frances Catholic School, Randolph, where he graduated with the class of 1966. He joined the South Dakota Army National Guard Aug. 22,1966, at the age of 17, serving six years before being honorably discharged in Vermillion, S.D., in August 1972.

Dennis married the love of his life, Dayna, on his father’s 60th birthday, June 1,1974, in Randolph at St. Frances Catholic Church. They were blessed with three children, Matthew, Michael and Angie. They lived on their farm five miles north of Randolph for 40 years. During this time, they ran a farrow to finish hog operation, and farmed corn and soybeans.

In his younger years, Dennis enjoyed hunting pheasants and jack rabbits with his brother, David, and friends, and tractor pulling with neighbors. Dennis was one of the original shareholders that started the “Swine 84” operation in Bloomfield. He loved collecting and restoring Allis-Chalmers tractors and was proud of his fleet of Dodge cars and pickups. Dennis was proud of his family and enjoyed attending his grandchildren’s various activities.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 49 years, Dayna; sons, Matthew Folkers, Randolph; Michael (Angie) Folkers, Grand Island; and daughter, Angie (Chris) Johnson, Yankton, S.D.; seven grandchildren, Sam, Michaela, Alyson, Ben, Macie, Gavin and Austin; and one great-granddaughter, Blakelyn; his brother, David (Rosemary) Folkers, Bow Valley; and his sisters, Diane (Ronnie) Kast, Fordyce, and Lavon (Leonard) Fuxa, Cedar Creek.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Laverna Folkers; mother and father-in-law, Dale and Darlene Boughn; and brother-in-law, Layne.