SIOUX FALLS, S.D. — Dennis Joseph Loecker, 79, Sioux Falls, S.D., formerly of Fordyce, died Jan. 15, 2025, surrounded by his loving family, after a courageous battle with cancer. Mass of Christian Burial was Jan. 18 at Saint Boniface Catholic Church, Menominee, with Rev. Craig Loecker officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date with the family present. Visitation, with a wake service, was Jan. 17 at Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home and Onsite Crematory, Yankton, S.D., and continued one hour prior to the service at the church. It was also live streamed at https://server.attend.live/ static/event/BBnVX. Dennis was born Jan. 14, 1946, at home on the farm, to Emil Peter and Vera Elizabeth (Albers) Loecker. He attended grade school in Menominee and graduated from Crofton High School. In 1966, Dennis was drafted into the Vietnam War, where he was wounded in 1967, and honored with a Purple Heart and Bronze Star. He cherished his yearly reunions with fellow Vietnam veterans. Dennis worked various jobs, including HVAC, farm feed services, and later retired from Alcoa in 2011. Dennis married Vivian Elaine Haberman May 4, 1974, and they were blessed with four children, Joe, Jill, Jackie and Jeremy.

He enjoyed hunting, fishing, watching football and baseball, and spending cherished moments with his grandchildren.

Dennis is survived by his children and their families, Joe (Kelle), Yankton, S.D., and their children Andrew (Emily), great-granddaughter, McKenna, and Brady (Courtney), great-grandchildren, Kacyn and Ainsley; Jill Sapp, Hooper; Jackie (Glenn) Scotting, Humboldt, S.D.; and Jeremy (Beth), Sioux Falls, S.D., their children, Samuel (Andrew), great-grandson, Thomas; Elijah and Gabrie; siblings, Allen Loecker, Glenn (Mary) Loecker, Gladys Jones, Don (Denise) Loecker, Marvin (Debbie) Loecker, Paulette (John) Dressen, and Dave (Sheila) Loecker; in laws, Judith Ruhanna, Mary Ellen Heflin, Joan Haberman, Wilfred (Joyce) Haberman, Walter (Janice) Haberman, Sharon Haberman, Jerri Haberman, Arlene (Gary) Heine, Lois Koelder, Elmer (Lora) Haberman and Inez Foster.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Vera Loecker; his wife, Vivian (Haberman) Loecker; his son-in-law, Steven Sapp; his brothers, Merle Loecker and Larry Loecker; and his in-laws, Anthony and Leona Haberman, Sandra Loecker, Sheila Loecker, Arnie Jones, James Haberman, Darold Haberman, Vernon Haberman, Tim Foster, Gary Heflin and El Koelder.