Obituary: Tillila Denke

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In memory of

Tillila Denke

of Wall, South Dakota, died on Friday, February 13, 2009 at the Philip Nursing Home in Philip at the age of 91

Tillila Rufina Eisenbraun was born October 24, 1917, in Tripp, South Dakota, the daughter of Henry and Fredericka (Schaefer) Eisenbraun. She was baptized on March 3, 1918, at Emmaus Lutheran Church in Tripp. In the spring of 1918, she moved with her parents and three brothers to the Creighton, South Dakota area. She was confirmed April 19, 1931, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Creighton. Her Bible verse was “Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelations 2:10
Tillila was united in marriage on January 7, 1937, at Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Creighton, to Robert Denke of Creighton. The text was Psalm 128: 1-4. They lived in Creighton until September 1949 when they moved to Wall.
Her husband Robert preceded her in death on May 19, 1982. Tillila continued to live in Wall until moving into the Philip Nursing Home in October 2007, where she has since resided.
Grateful for having shared her life include three daughters Darlene Baye of Philip, Joyce Hart of Philip, and Eileen Torkelson and her husband Orrin of Wall; three sons Bill Denke and his wife Muriel of San Diego, California, Glenn Denke of Norris, and Paul Denke and his wife Lurene of Pierre; nine grandchildren Steve and Scott Baye, Douglas Hart, Sandra Staples, Billy Denke, Kebra Krol, Isaac and Luke Denke, and Katrina Torkelson; eleven great-grandchildren Crystal Baye, Joseph and Matthew Baye, Johnathon and David Hart, MacKenzie and Marshall Staples, William Denke III, Garrett Denke, and MacKenzie and Sydney Krol; one sister Hulda Haney of Rapid City; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.
In addition to her husband Robert, Tillila was preceded in death by her one year old daughter Luella on May 17, 1948; her parents; four brothers Rudy, Gotthold, Edwin, and Ferdinand Eisenbraun, and two son-in-laws Kenneth “Kenny” Baye and David "Dave" Hart.
Visitation was held on 4-6 p.m. on Wednesday. February 18, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall, and one hour preceding the service at the church.
Funeral services were held 10:30 am Thursday, February 19, at the First Lutheran Church in Wall, with Pastor Duane Duley officiating.
Interment was at the Wall Cemetery.
A memorial is established.

FUNERAL SERVICES
Thursday, February 19, 2009 - 10:30 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Wall, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Duane Duley
MUSIC
Mary Kay Wilson—Organist
“Abide With Me” #878
“God Loves Me Dearly” #392
“Precious Lord Take My Hand” #739
Dorothy Shearer—Pianist
Vocalists
Katrina Torkelson - Isaac Denke
“On Eagles Wings”
USHERS
Roger Fortune - Dick Johnson
PALLBEARERS
Scott Baye - Steve Baye
Doug Hart - Billy Denke
Luke Denke - Isaac Denke
Danny Fosness - Jerry Johannesen
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Wall Cemetery
Wall, South Dakota

Open the Memorial Folder

Visitation: 4-6 p.m. Wednesday. February 18, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.
Funeral services: 10:30 am Thursday, February 19, at the First Lutheran Church in Wall.
Interment: Wall Cemetery.

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Darlene, Scott and family: Tillila was a wonderful lady I am so thankful you gave us the chance to take care of her. She will be missed by all us at the nursing home. Take care and remember heaven has received another angel ~ Krystal Noteboom Philip (2/13/2009)
When I used to work at the Elkton House Restaurant in Wall, I remember when Tillila and Mary Payne used to come in for coffee and pie in the afternoons. I enjoyed visiting with them. May the Lord Be With You Now and Always. You are in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Fawna Geigle Enid, OK (2/13/2009)
Darlene, Scott & family, So sorry to hear about your mother. Our deepest sympathy.God Bless ~ Ralph & Cathy Fiedler 2130 Ellen St Sturgis, SD (2/13/2009)
I lived beside Tillila while I was growing up in Wall. She and Robert treated my siblings and I like their own grandchildren and we always loved them like another set of grandparents. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the rest of your family during this time of loss. ~ Jerry and Darci Johannesen Family Fort Hood, TX (2/13/2009)
~granddaughter of the late Emma L. Eisenbraun~My thoughts and prayers to the family! May God be with you all!! ~ Pam Eisenbraun-Blankenship Sioux Falls, SD (2/13/2009)
Paul,Lurene and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you during this time of your loss. May your memories be of great comfort to you. Take care. ~ Tammy & Hal Jewett Pierre, SD (2/13/2009)
Joyce and Billy--Condolences to you and your family over the loss of your mother. The years that I spent in Wall were some of the best in my life! ~ Mary (Williams) Wilson 21604 Sidney Stage Rd. Piedmont, SD (2/13/2009)
You are all in our prayers. We all have wonderful memories of our times with Aunt Tillie. She would give us pencils with our names printed on them for Christmas. She made us wonderful cabbage rolls to eat. Let us pick cucumbers from her garden and rub them with salt. Lots of wonderful childhood memories. During this difficult time we are thinking of our cousins and their children. Aunt Tillie use to buy us the little Bibles and shared her faith in God. Now, she is home with God. Prayers and Blessings Linda and the Haneys ~ Linda Solien lindasolien@yahoo.com (2/13/2009)
Dear Joyce and Family, Just a note to say you and your's are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. We remember when you lived in Kadoka all those years. Bruce and Bonnie Madsen ~ Bonnie Madsen Kadoka S.D. (2/13/2009)
I lived next door to Grandma and Grandpa Denke. I have many enjoyable memories with Grandma Denke. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends. ~ Ronald Johannesen and Family Livingston TX (2/13/2009)
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at his time. ~ Bill and Kenda Huber & family Parmelee, SD (2/13/2009)
To the Denke Family. Our love and prayers are with you at this time. ~ Dennis & Susan Walsh Miami, FL. (2/13/2009)