Dennis Elmer Ellwein

Funeral services for Dennis Elmer Ellwein, 72, of Rapid City, SD, and formerly of Barnard, SD, will be 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 28, 2015, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 915 South Dakota St., Aberdeen, with Pastor D.T. Rawerts officiating.

Burial will take place at Morningside Cemetery in Roscoe, SD.

Schriver's Memorial Mortuary & Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m., Thursday, at the mortuary, with a prayer service following at 7:00 p.m. Visitation continues one hour prior to the service at the church on Friday.

Dennis was called home to heaven on Sunday, August 23, 2015, while hospitalized in Sioux Falls, SD. Blessed be his memory.

Dennis Elmer Ellwein was born June 20, 1943, to Elmer and Melleta (Gorne) Ellwein in Bowdle, SD. He was raised on the family farm and attended school in this area before graduating from Roscoe High School.

Dennis was united in marriage to Joan Dianne Ulmer on June 12, 1962, in Aberdeen. They made Hosmer their home, where Dennis was employed at various local jobs before moving his family to Renton, WA, to begin work with The Boeing Company. Dennis and his family then returned to the Aberdeen area and he began a career in law enforcement, serving as an Aberdeen Police Officer from 1967 through 1975. In addition to his career in law enforcement, Dennis also bought a farm near Barnard, SD, and began farming in 1973. The farm grew and prospered through the years along with his family. In his spare time, Dennis loved flying and earned his license to become a private pilot. He owned many different airplanes that he used while crop spraying and hunting fox and coyote. In his later years, Dennis was involved in many businesses and investments while living in the Rapid City area.

Dennis was a man of strong faith and loved the Lord Jesus Christ. He was a very thoughtful and inspiring person, giving of his time and possessions to others in need. Dennis loved to work, and although he was handicapped for many years, it did not slow him down.

Blessed to have shared his life is his wife of 53 years, Joan Ellwein of Rapid City, SD; three sons: Todd and Melissa Ellwein of Frederick, SD, Jonathan and Jennifer Ellwein of Westport, SD and Patrick Ellwein of Wolverton, MN; two daughters: Denise and Jim Eck of Albuquerque, NM, and Pam and Russ Rysavy of Rapid City, SD; one brother, Larry and Bettie Ellwein of Roscoe, SD; thirteen grandchildren; and one great-grandchild.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; a twin brother in infancy; and one infant sister.