Raymond Lenk | 1931 - 2023
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Nov 25, 2023 | 10:02 AM / 301 views
Ray passed away Friday, November 24, 2023, at the age of 92. He was a long-time resident of Dupree, SD, and was currently living at the Parkwood Apartments in Pierre, SD.
Visitation will be held Friday, December 1, 2023, from 6:00 to 7:00pmMT and a Scripture Wake service will begin at 7:00pmMT at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dupree. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10:00amMT at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dupree followed by a meal and socializing at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church. The burial will take place at the Black Hills National Cemetery at a later date.
Ray was born in Moran Township, near Staples, MN, on August 30, 1931, to Charles and Elizabeth (Kobliska) Lenk. His early life was spent on the family farm. He graduated from Staples High School in 1950. In 1951 he joined the U.S. Airforce and served in the Korean Conflict.
In May of 1954 he began his banking career at the Staples State Bank, in Staples MN. On August 18, 1955, he married Grace Lukes, at St. Isadore’s Catholic Church in Moran Township. They made their home in Staples, MN, moving to Crookston, MN, in January 1959 where he served as Assistant Cashier at the Crookston National Bank.
On February 2, 1962, Ray, Grace, and son Quinn moved to Dupree, SD, where Ray became Cashier of the Farmers State Bank. From February 1962 to his retirement from the bank in December 1990, Ray became Vice-President of the bank and President of the Dupree Insurance Agency. During this period two daughters joined the family: Nancy in 1965 and Gwendolyn in 1968.
While in Dupree Ray was very active in City government. He served on the City Council from 1963 to 1966, as mayor from 1966 to 1977, and as finance officer for the city from 1990 to 1998. He then again served as Mayor from October 2011 to May 2016, and on the city council from May 2016 to May of 2017.
Ray also served on the Dupree School Board, Northwest Area School Board, Ziebach County Soil Conservation District Board, Tatanka, RC&D Board, Vice-President of Western SD meals program and site manager for the Dupree Nutrition site for 30 years.
Ray was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dupree. He served as lector, trustee, and taught CCD. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council number 6537 since 1958, served as Grand Knight for 2 years and District Deputy for 4 years.
Left to miss Ray are his son Quinn Lenk and his friend Valerie Tomac of Dupree; daughter Nancy (Royce) Bialas, Dante, SD; and daughter Gwendolyn Lenk of Framingham, MA. Two grandchildren: Allison (Dylanger) Pierson of Mitchell, SD; and Joshua Cimpl of Wagner, SD. Great-Grandson Steele Pierson, sister-in-law Mary Koep and many nieces and nephews. Ray was preceded in death by his parents; Charles and Elizabeth Lenk, his wife Grace in 1999, father and mother-in-law Joseph and Sarah Lukes, and son-in-law Mike Cimpl in 2013. Brothers and sisters-in-law, David and Betty Lukes; Rita Lukes and Walter Koep.
Condolences may be sent to: Quinn Lenk, PO Box 525, Dupree, SD 57623
Nancy Bialas, 312 Main Street, Dante, SD 57329
Gwendolyn Lenk, 22 Perry Henderson Dr., Framingham, MA 01701