John Dwain Welke, 65, passed away on Tuesday, June 18, 2024, at Sturgis Monument Health.
John was born on July 29, 1958, to Winfred and Mayme (Hermanson) Welke in Deadwood, South Dakota. He graduated from Newell High School in 1977. He started his career at Sturgis Tile Company in 1975 and continued until retirement in 2005. He also had numerous farming and mechanical employments.
In 1976, John met the love of his life, Sonja Vetter. They wed on June 23, 1978. They made their home on the family farm north of Sturgis. To this union they were blessed with four children.
John loved the outdoors. He loved hunting, tinkering in the shop or a long motorcycle trip with his best friend, Ken. Spending time up at the cabin snowmobiling in the winter or at the lake water skiing, fishing, and camping with family and friends. The farm was always a welcoming place to gather for friends and family.
Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Sonja; daughters, Jennifer (Steve) Froning, Mitchell, SD, Lori (Dennis) Hansen, Spearfish, SD, Glenda Welke, Sturgis, SD; and son, Matthew (Tiffany) Welke, Wright, WY. His favorite title given to him was “PAPA” by: Jalin, Makenna, Shelby, Hannah, Jacob, Gavin, and Jordan. Siblings: Kenneth Welke, Marlene Nichols, Mary Martell, Gary Welke and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was proceeded in death by his father, Winfred; mother, Mayme; stepfather, Jasper (Bud); brothers, Fred and Bill; sisters, Darlene and Debbie; both sets of maternal and paternal grandparents; his granddaughter, Hadley; and his best friend, Ken.
Following John’s wishes, we will have a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at 2:00 pm at The Welke Farm, 20049 126th Place in Whitewood.
You may sign his online guestbook at blackhillsfuneralhome.com.
