Dennis G. Ward, 72, died Monday, May 10, 2021 at Ava's House in Sioux Falls, SD after recently being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Friday, May 14, 2021 at Brooklyn Evangelical Free Church, rural Beresford, SD.  Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Thursday, May 13 at the Church, followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM.  Dennis' family asks all classic car friends and owners to please drive your cars to the visitation or funeral.

Dennis Glen Ward was born April 17, 1949 in Vermillion, SD to Eldon and Thelma (Holt) Ward.  He grew up on a farm near Wakonda, SD and attended Frog Creek School through the 8 ^th grade.  He attended Centerville High School for two years and graduated from Hillcrest Academy following his final two years. He proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1968 to 1974 with active duty in Vietnam from February to November 1970. He also served in the Air National Guard.  Following his service, Dennis attended the University of South Dakota at Springfield for automotive tech for 2 years.  While at USDS he met Judith Namminga. They were married November 9, 1973.  Dennis and Judy were married 43 years and were blessed with their 3 daughters.

Dennis' first job after graduation was at Rapp Chevrolet in Marion, SD. After he and Judy married, they moved to Beresford, SD and he became employed at Sioux Steam (Sioux Corp) as a welder. He retired from Sioux Corp in April of 2014 just shy of 40 years. Dennis farmed with his father for several years after the family moved to an acreage near Centerville, SD.   He took pride in being a dedicated member of the Beresford American Legion.  He was a faithful member of his church, Brooklyn Evangelical Free Church, where he served in many roles and for multiple terms of leadership including elder and deacon board.

If you knew Dennis, you knew he loved cars. His hobby was restoring classic cars and attending car shows. After retirement, that hobby became a business "Denny's Detailing" and he restored several cars, trucks, tractors and other projects. He loved his grandkids and was at as many of their games and activities as he could attend.

Dennis is survived by his daughters, Michelle (Adam) Nelson, Beresford, SD, Rebecca (Darren) Larson, Sioux Falls, SD and Kathy Ward, Beresford, SD; grandchildren, Brynn and Cooper Nelson, Major and Deacon Larson and Isaac Ward; sister, Ruth (Loren) VanRoekel, Alvord, IA; mother-in-law, Harriet Namminga, Springfield, SD; and 3 sisters-in-law, Joanne (David) Hatle, Sioux Falls, SD, Sharon (Alan) Egge, Yankton, SD and Audrey (David) Gasper, Flandreau, SD. He also was survived by many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Judy, in 2017; his parents; and his father-in-law.

"God is still faithful and the future is in His hands.  Praise the name of the Lord."