Dolores Arlette Johnke

Dolores Arlette (Poll) Johnke, 91, passed away on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at Bethesda of Beresford in Beresford, SD. Funeral services will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at United Church of Christ in Centerville, SD. Visitation with the family present will take place from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 p.m., on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, also at the church. Burial will take place at Riverview Cemetery in Centerville at a later date.

Dolores Arlette Johnke was born on April 21, 1935, in Lennox, SD, to Edward and Bertha (Mehl) Poll. The family moved to Davis, SD, in 1940, where Dolores attended Hooker School until the 6th grade and later graduated from Centerville Public School in 1953. Dolores worked for Exchange Bank of Lennox from 1954-1960. During that time, she met Kennard Johnke and they were united in marriage on August 17, 1960, in Centerville, SD. They moved to Centerville in 1964 and were blessed with two children. Dolores stayed home with the kids until they were able to begin school.

Dolores then began work as a CNA at the Good Samaritan Center (Centerville Care and Rehabilitation) in Centerville. She was employed 49 years as a CNA, and later a laundry attendant, until 2019 when a battle with cancer ended her working career. Her strength and attitude helped her overcome her diagnosis, as she lived cancer free for another 7 years. After her cancer ended, Dolores was admitted to Bethesda Nursing Home in Beresford, SD, where she remained until her death.

Dolores loved the Minnesota Twins, music, singing, and playing Bingo and Yahtzee. She loved going out to eat and went to various concerts with friends and family.

Grateful for having shared her life are her children, Douglas Johnke of Beresford, SD, and Kathy Lundgren of Sioux Falls, SD; and brother, Donald Poll of Centerville, SD. She was also eternally grateful to have the help and support of caretaker, Paula Vitakis, during her cancer treatment. She often spoke of how lucky she was to have her with her when her immediate family couldn’t be.

Dolores was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Kennard Johnke.