David Junek

David Junek, age 98 of Belle Fourche, died Wednesday, November 30^th, 2022 at the Monument Health Sturgis Hospital.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:30am Saturday, June 3, 2023 at First Baptist Church in Belle Fourche.  Visitation will be held 5 to 7pm Friday June 2^nd at Leverington Funeral Home of the Northern Hills in Belle Fourche.  Inurnment will take place at Pine Slope Cemetery.  Friend may leave written condolences and view a video tribute online at: www.LeveringtonFH.com

David Edward Junek was born September 18, 1924 on the family ranch near Redig, South Dakota.  He was the son of Edward and Anna (Kapsa) Junek.  David grew up on the family ranch near Redig, and attended the Redig Country School for 8 years.  He attended Spearfish High School for one year, and received a degree in Agriculture from the SD State Agriculture School in Brookings, in the early 1940’s.  Shortly after, Dave returned home and ranched with his father, eventually taking over the operation.  On June 8, 1955, Dave was united in marriage to Marjorie Anne Hollister in Belle Fourche.  To this union, three children were born: Janet, Mark, and Brad.  Following their marriage, Dave and Marjie ranched in Harding County for more than 50 years.  Dave and Marjie enjoyed several trips throughout their years together.  Together they traveled throughout America, including Alaska and Hawaii, and Europe as well.  In 2006 they sold the ranch and moved to an acreage south of Belle Fourche.  Marjie died in 2016, and since that time, Dave has continued to live in their house. 

Dave was born with a curiosity that gave him a continuous desire to learn about things.  He also enjoyed teaching and mentoring others about various aspects of ranching.  People held him in high regard for many of his traits, and his knowledge about ranching was one of them.  All Dave ever wanted to do in life was to raise cattle and sheep, and a family as well.  He was blessed to do all three.  During the years when the family was young, Dave was known for how hard he worked for his family.  He sheared sheep as a side job, and over a period of years, he built the house they lived in.  Dave was a kind man, a true gentleman.  He loved his children and grandchildren and great grandchildren very much.  He lived to be almost 100 years old.  He was greatly loved, and he will be greatly missed.

Dave is survived by his daughter, Janet (Paul) Higbee of Spearfish; sons, Mark (Patty) Junek of Gillette WY, Brad (Pam) Junek of Rapid City; eight grandchildren; twelve great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Anna (Kapsa) Junek; wife, Marjorie; brother, John Howard; sisters, Edna Kohler, Helen Junek, Vera Heileson, and Rhoda Cummings.

He was a Harding County rancher

That’s all he wanted to be

To have some cattle and some sheep

And raise a family

With Marjie by his side

Hard working hands and sweat

He lived his dream in life

Their needs were always met

A kind and caring gentleman

Who lost Marjie six years ago

Now they’re reunited

That’s a comfort we now know

Oh he had his faults that’s true

A sinner saved by grace

God made him and God saved him

And he lived to see 98

Lord thank you for Dave Junek

Thanks for all the memories

We’re glad he’s home in heaven

Home with Marjorie

~ Mark Leverington