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Duane Berkeof Rapid City, South Dakota, died on Wednesday, November 17, 2021
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Duane was born on June 9, 1942, to Alvin and Pansie Berke. Duane grew up on the family farm in Hilland, SD. He graduated high school from Philip High School in 1960 and from Black Hills State College in 1967 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business.
From an early age, Duane had a love for flying. He soloed on September 20, 1966. He earned his private pilot’s license on December 19, 1966, followed by his commercial pilot’s license on September 18, 1968. He became a certified flight instructor on December 13, 1968. He also held endorsements for multi-engine and instrument and was an A & P. Duane was a pilot for over 55 years with his first solo flight on September 20, 1966, and last flew his Champ to the family farm on June 25, 2016.
In his younger years, he worked on the family farm. Through college he worked construction jobs on Missile Sites. He worked for Black Hills Aviation as co-pilot of a B17 with Arnold Kolb and Bill Blakeman. Duane was an accountant at SCI for 30 plus years and continued to work on airplanes in his spare time. Upon retirement, Duane worked for Hawkins and Powers Aviation of Greybull, Wyoming as an A & P and was certified as a co-pilot on the 4Y. He rebuilt numerous aircraft and gave flight instruction throughout the rest of his life.
While working in North Carolina with Bill Blakeman, they met two sisters, Sherry and Suzette Hewitt who they both fell in love with and married. Duane and Sherry were married and had two beautiful sons, Steven and Brett. Both boys earned their pilots license which made Duane very proud.
He is survived by his son, Steve (Amy) Berke; sisters, Arlyce (John) Griesel and Arlene (Ken) Everett; sister-in-law, Suzette Owens; brother-in-law, John Michael Hewitt; nephew, Jeff (Trace) Griesel; nieces, Lynette (Dan) Pueppke, Kristi (Matt) Barnett, Kerri Williams; step-grandson Caleb (Bailey) Marler; step-great granddaughter, Alayna Marler; Steve’s great aunt Mary Hilbert; Amy’s family and many other relatives and friends.
Duane was preceded in death by his parents, Alvin and Pansie Berke; mother of his two sons, Sherry Hewitt; Sherry’s parents, Tank and Helen Hewitt; son, Brett Berke, and many close friends and family.
A special thanks to the staff at Scotchman Living Center for all the care you provided to Duane.
A memorial will be established.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. with a prayer service starting at 7 p.m. Monday, November 22, at Rush Funeral Home in Philip.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 23, at First Lutheran Church in Philip with Pastor Cindy Bisser officiating.
Interment will follow at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, November 23, at Pine Lawn Cemetery in Rapid City.
VISITATION
Monday, November 22, 2021 - 5-7 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota
PRAYER SERVICE
Monday, November 22, 2021 - 7 p.m.
Rush Funeral Home
Philip, South Dakota
FUNERAL SERVICE
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 - 11:00 a.m.
First Lutheran Church
Philip, South Dakota
CLERGY
Pastor Cindy Bisser
MUSIC
Marilyn Millage - Pianist
Congregational Hymns
“Beautiful Savior”
“Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee”
USHER
Terry Pinney
PALLBEARERS
Jeff Griesel - Dan Pueppke
Chris Pueppke - Karoline Griesel
Ken Anderson - Ken Everett - Jennelle Soderstrom
HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Gary Stephenson - Bill Blakeman
and all Relatives and Friends in Attendance
INTERMENT
Tuesday, November 23, 2021 - 3:00 p.m.
Pine Lawn Cemetery
Rapid City, South Dakota