Daniel Kurtenbach

Dates

Obituary

Daniel Kurtenbach, 75, of Dimock, SD, passed away peacefully Sunday, September 27, 2026, at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls. Funeral services will be 10:30 AM Saturday, October 3, at St. John Lutheran Church in rural Dimock. Burial will be at St. John Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday from 5-7:00 PM at the church with a 6:30 PM prayer service. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

Daniel Walter Kurtenbach was born on December 23, 1950, in Parkston, SD to Wilfred and Marie (Puetz) Kurtenbach. He graduated from Ethan High School in 1969. After attending one year at Mitchell Technical School, he was employed at Murtha Repair in Parkston for 28 years where he enjoyed the customers and co-workers. Dan had a love of repairing and tinkering with tractors.  This led to a love of collecting antique and toy-size tractors. Dan also worked for 20 years at Graphic Packaging in Mitchell, SD until retiring.

Dan was the youngest of four boys growing up on a farm in rural Dimock.  This is where Dan learned the value of hard work and sacrifice.  Dan was one of those people who seemed to know everyone and was known by nearly everyone. He was an extremely dependable worker who rarely sat still even after retirement. He took great pride in providing for his family and in everything he accomplished through the years. 

Dan was a man who showed his love through his actions and rarely with words.  He could always be counted on when someone needed a hand.

Dan had a lifelong passion for farming which he did on the side his entire life. He took great pride in the land and loved being outside.  Dan thoroughly enjoyed auctions online and in-person, where he could spend hours looking through old tools & parts searching for a bargain while visiting with friends and neighbors.  His love of road trips to find random collectibles was still evident even into his final days. One of his hobbies was collecting things his family thought he would never need. Dan rarely passed up a good bargain even if it was something he didn’t have a use for.

He married Linda Vanden Hoek on November 24, 1973, at Redeemer Lutheran Church in Armour, SD. They became lifelong members of St. John’s Lutheran Church of rural Dimock, SD.

Together they were active members of the church. Dan was dedicated to making sure the sound system worked for each church service.  He was also well-known as “Candy Man Dan” who passed out smarties to all the youngsters.

Dan and Linda loved taking numerous bus trips and traveling with friends and family. One of his favorite excursions was their Alaskan cruise. They have shared many special memories together along the way.

Another deep love in his life was his family.  He spoiled his grandkids and took great joy in teasing them continuously.

Dan served in many capacities throughout his life.   He was a member of the church council and served in different positions.  Dan was dedicated to serving his community.  He served on the boards of several local organizations, including Ethan Co-op Lumber, Santel Telephone Cooperative, and Twin Rivers Old Iron Association.  He valued the opportunity to give back and make a positive difference in the lives of others.  Dan also enjoyed assisting Bart at Bittner’s Funeral Chapel on an as needed basis.

Dan will be remembered by his wife, Linda; children, Heath (significant other Kerri) Kurtenbach of Dimock, SD, Heather (Joe) Meyer of Slayton, MN, Rachelle (Noah) Bosma of Ocheyedan, IA, Ryan Kurtenbach of Sioux Falls, SD, and Amanda (Ted) Austerman of Howard, SD; grandchildren, Tate (Hannah), Kobi, Eliese, Libby, Teague, Emersyn, Luke, Halle, Jase, Kinley, Callie, Kolt, and Brady; brothers, Dale (Mary), Vilas (Margo), Darwin (Rose); sister in-laws, Marilyn Vanden Hoek, Paulette (Wayne) Veurink, Lori (Carl) Wynja; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Wilfred and Marie; mother and father in-law, Leo and Gertrude Vanden Hoek; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Dan will be remembered for his stories, willingness to always lend a helping hand, and his stubbornness.  He leaves behind a lifetime of memories and will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the St. John Lutheran Church Cemetery Fund or Twin Rivers Old Iron Association.

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