Denny G Learing

Dennis Gene Learing, age 72 of Sioux Falls, SD, passed away Wednesday, April. 19, 2023, at his home in Sioux Falls, SD.

Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 26th, 2023, at Calvary Lutheran Church in Irene, SD, with Pastor Mark Ostrem officiating.  Burial will follow at Spring Valley Baptist Cemetery.  Graveside military honors will be conducted.  Visitation with family present will be 5-7 p.m. on Tuesday, April 25th, 2023, at Hansen Funeral Home in Irene, SD.  A prayer service will follow visitation from 7-7:30 p.m. at Hansen Funeral Home.

Dennis was born September 3rd, 1950, in Yankton, SD, the son of Ralph E. & Olive M. (Nielson) Learing.  He was raised and educated in Irene, SD and graduated from Irene High School in 1968. Denny served in the United States Army from 1970 to 1972, was stationed in Korea and Honorably Discharged.

On May 1st, 1982, he married Judy Anne Jespergaard at Calvary Lutheran Church in Irene, SD.  After getting married, Denny and Judy moved together to Sioux Falls where they bought and renovated the home where they would live the rest of their lives together. There they welcomed two children, Adam and Emily.

In 1978, Denny started his career with the United States Postal Service. In 2016, he retired, having committed 40 years to the United States Postal Service. During his time there, he developed a reputation for turning “small talk” into long talk. Denny enjoyed chatting with everyone he met.

In 2017, Denny became a grandpa to Elliot and later added another grandchild, Brooks, in 2019. Denny enjoyed when his grandsons came to visit and made sure that they left with some sort of trinket from his house at every visit.

Denny took pride in all that his children had done and everything that they have accomplished, no matter the size of the accomplishment. He was proud of his children and grandchildren and loved to share with others every chance he had. He also enjoyed his collection of vehicles, a 1965 Ford truck and a 1973 Dodge Tradesman, and his large, heated, garage that could fit all 4 of his vehicles.

Survivors include his two children, Adam (Emily) Learing of Sioux Falls, SD, Emily Learing of Sioux Falls, SD; grandchildren, Elliot and Brooks; his siblings, Gloria (Larry) Kindopp of Sioux Falls, SD, Ardis (Dan) Moen of Scottsdale, AZ, Mary (Perry) Anderson of Coleville, WA, Greg (Dawn) Learing of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law, Jane (Mark) Dahlberg of Beresford, SD, Linda Davenport of Sioux Falls, SD, Ro Shiel Learing of Remsen, IA, Susie Learing of Irene, SD, Sandra VanBeek of Irene, SD and Judy Learing of Harrisburg, SD; brother-in-law, Howard Dachtler of Madison, SD; and numerous nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Judy Learing, his parents Ralph and Olive Learing; mother-in-law Bernice Jespergaard; five brothers, Vernon (Jim), Merlyn, Robert, Floyd and Donald Learing; two brothers-in-law, Ronald Goeken and Phil Davenport; three sisters-in-law, Joyce and Karen Jespergaard, and Betty Dachtler; three nephews, Johnathon, Darin and Daniel Learing.