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Funeral services will take place on Friday, July 23, 2021 at 10:00 AM (Mountain).

First Lutheran Church
Wall, South Dakota

Private Family Interment:
Elm Springs Cemetery
Elm Springs, South Dakota
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.



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In memory of

Cherry Denke

of Philip, South Dakota, died on Monday, July 19, 2021 at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip at the age of 70

Cherry Lee Gravatt Denke was born October 13, 1950, in Rapid City, South Dakota to Jack and Dorothy Gravatt of Wasta. She joined her twin brothers, Larry and Jerry, who asked where the other one was. Her brother, Barry, joined the family eleven years later.

Cherry attended grade school in Wasta and in 1964 her family moved to Elm Springs, South Dakota to take over her grandparent’s (Art & Blanche Moor) ranch. Her grandparents moved to Wasta, and she lived with them while attending high school in Wall where she graduated in 1968.

Cherry attended SDSU and St. John’s School of Nursing, during which time she met her future husband, Byron Denke. Byron was working in Elm Springs for Mary Ann Wilson. They were married June 5, 1970, and continued working for Mary Ann another two years. In 1972 they moved and worked for Zeta White on her ranch near Buffalo, South Dakota. In 1974, they purchased Byron’s parents’ family farm and ranch. They continued to live there until 2019 when they moved to Philip, South Dakota due to health issues.

At the age of 25, Cherry was baptized and confirmed into the Lutheran faith. She was a lifetime member of the First Lutheran Church in Wall where she was a faithful member. Cherry taught church school many years, was a member of the Phoebes, served on the church council, and worked on many committees. Her church and church family were a very important part of her life.

Her greatest pride were her two children, Monte, born in 1983, and Stacey, born in 1985. She and Byron were 4-H leaders and as a family they enjoyed many 4-H activities together. She worked with her own children, many of the neighborhood children, and enjoyed it very much.

Cherry was also active in the school and community. She served on the school board and as an advisor for the F.S.A. board for nine years.

Cherry worked side by side with Byron through their farming and ranching years. She loved working with the cattle, her sheep, and putting up hay, and then being able to pass the knowledge on to her children.

Survivors include her husband, Byron, of 51 years; two children, son, Monte, of Quinn, and daughter, Stacey, of Rapid City; nephew, Robin of Rapid City, whom she and Byron helped raise; three brothers Larry Gravatt (Peggy) of Elm Springs, Jerry Gravatt (Alyn) and Barry Gravatt (Val) both of Rapid City; brother-in-law, Marvin Denke, of Philip; two sisters-in-laws Delores Denke of Pavillion, WY and Dora Jean Denke of Wisconsin; two “sister/cousins” Robin (Nick) Feller and Kitty (Leon) Monke; her Aunt Dora Mae Jensen of California; and many other nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Cherry was preceded in death by her parents Jack and Dorothy Gravatt; her in-laws, Reinhold and Rose Denke; eight brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law.

A memorial will be established in her name. Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 594 Philip, SD 57567.

Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 22, at Rush Funeral Chapel in Wall.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 23, 2021 at First Lutheran Church in Wall with Pastor Christopher McCarthy officiating. The service will be live streamed and can be viewed from this webpage when it begins.

Private family interment will be held at the Elm Springs Cemetery


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VISITATION
Thursday, July 22, 2021 - 5-7 p.m.
Rush Funeral Chapel
Wall, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE
Friday, July 23, 2021 - 10:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Wall, South Dakota

CLERGY
Pastor Christopher McCarthy

MUSIC
Mary Kay Wilson - Organist
Regan Simons - Vocalist
“Precious Lord Take My Hand”
“On Eagles Wings”
Congregational Hymns
"Jesus Lives! The Victory's Won"
“What a Friend We Have in Jesus”
"For All The Saints"

USHERS
Michael Sieler - Philip Wilson

PALLBEARERS
Glen Williamson - Gerald Julson - Jiggs O’Connell
Jim Johnson - Dennis Sieler - Elden Helms

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

PRIVATE FAMILY INTERMENT
Elm Springs Cemetery
Elm Springs, South Dakota

  • When I heard the news last night of Cherry's passing I was deeply saddened. She was such a gentle caring person and was so special to me. The memories came flooding back - from her chocolate chip cookie recipe which is my standard (no other recipe will do) , to hatching out duck eggs, to the joy of helping her on laundry day (loved that ole wringer washer), to my job as Hilda their German maid when she was laid up with ankle injury, to my extended stay that maybe we got a little to ornery to Byron on Aprils Fools Day (just a pinch of cloves in the copenhagen will do), to her taking me to get my ears pierced. There are many many more that I will hold close to my heart. I wish I could be there to celebrate her life today but know I am with you all in my thoughts and prayers - she is free from pain and giving that little laugh of hers which was so uniquely hers. May God console you during this time of sorrow. Love to all ~ Lea Willuweit Ymker Armour (7/23/2021)
  • Dear Byron and kids, So sorry to hear about Cherry. Our thought and prayers are with you and the family. May her memory be a blessing. ~ Diane 'Sinykin' Small and Bill and Jayne Sinykin Phoenix, AZ & Smithfield, Utah (7/23/2021)
  • Uncle Byron, and Monte, and Stacy please accept our prayers and condolences on the passing of Cherry, Loretta and Roy spoke so highly of her and liked their trips out west and many phone calls. It is shocking news to us and we will hold you in our prayers. Long distance hugs. ~ Art and Beth Brendlinger Slatelick, Pennsylvania (7/22/2021)
  • Dear Byron and family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. With love, Denny and Susan. ~ Dennis & Susan Walsh Miami, Florida (7/22/2021)
  • To the Denke and Gravatt Families: my sympathy to you all. Cherry reminded me of her Grandma Blanch, caring words and a great smile. ~ Kathi Deering Rapid City, South Dakota (7/21/2021)
  • Our thoughts and prayers are with you all, Cherry was a wonderful lady and will be missed by those who knew and loved her. ~ Dale & Penny Baumann Quinn, SD (7/21/2021)
  • Cherry was a special friend. We knew each other for over 50 years. We really became close friends when our parents took turns taking us to sports events when we were in high school along with Marilyn Ivers (Bryan). Such fun times we had. My dad called her "lots of pickles" since she always requested them if we stopped for a burger somewhere. Always down to earth and "tell it like it is" Cherry was a loyal, kind, hard working and loving person. I shall miss her very much yet know that she is now out of pain. Never one to complain, she always wanted to know how "you" were doing. My thoughts are with her family and friends. Thank you God for sharing Cherry with us as long as you did. My life is richer since she was a part of it. ~ Marcia Williams Lincoln, NE (7/20/2021)
  • Byron, Monte and Stacey, I really don't know where to start. First I want to offer our sincere sympathies. Cherry was a special person to me, kind of like a sister, cousin and best friend rolled into one. She was always so interested in what we and our kids were doing. Just several weeks ago she introduced herself to our granddaughter Emma and asked about her and her family, it really impressed her that she knew so much about them because they live so far away!! We will stop in and keep in touch. ~ Philip & Mary Kay Wilson Elm Springs (7/20/2021)
  • Remember the good times and always keep them in your heart. ~ Jim and Vonnie O’Dea Howes, SD (7/20/2021)
  • We are thinking of you during this difficult time. Hold on to all the memories. She will be missed, but we know she is in a better place. ~ Les & Joann Pearson Philip, SD (7/20/2021)
  • Our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. ~ Jake & April Schofield & Family Philip (7/20/2021)
  • To the family of Cherry: We are so sorry Cherry has passed away. She was a nice person. The heart is never ready, the time is never right to say good-bye. Cherry's life was not over, but she was taken too soon. Shee had so many things to do yet, but so little time. You are in my thoughts now and in the days to come. Angie & Clark ~ Angie & Clark Ladner Vermillion, SD (7/20/2021)
  • Byron, Monte, and Stacey
    My Deepest Sympathy. Keeping all of you in my thoughts and prayers. I always enjoyed visiting with Cherry. Sending hugs to all of you.     ~ Fawna (Geigle) Goff Sturgis, SD (7/20/2021)
  • We are sorry to hear of Cherry passing. You are in our thoughts and prayers. ~ Tom and Kamie Carmichael 301 E. 5th St. Oakland, NE (7/20/2021)