Dennis Ruzicka

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Dennis Ruzicka, 92, passed away, Saturday, February 5, 2022, at the Highmore Health in Highmore after losing the battle with leukemia.

Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 12, 2022, at Our Savior Lutheran Church, Highmore, Pastor David Peterson, officiating. Burial will follow at Highmore Cemetery, Highmore.  A visitation will be 6:00 p.m., Friday, February 11, 2022, with a prayer service to follow at 7:00 p.m., all at the church.  

In lieu of flowers, the family request memorials be sent to Steps for Hope, PO Box 541, Highmore, SD 57345.

Dennis Ruzicka was born November 4, 1929, to Anton John and Fay Kehl (Deuter) Ruzicka in Miller, South Dakota.  His family moved to Hyde County when he was six years old where he attended school at the William Hamilton rural school.  After graduation from Highmore High School, he wanted to attend SD School of Mines to study math, but his parents said they did not have money to pay for college.  So, Dennis joined his father to begin his long farming career,

In 1953, Dennis married Norma Jacober.  As a newly married couple they rented 640 acres of farmland.  In 1959, they purchased a farmstead of 960 acres.  Dennis and Norma had two girls, Marcia and Glenda.

In his early years, Dennis bought and stripped blue grass seed for several different company for number years.  While his family helped with the farming business, he was able to service on several community organization boards including: Ree Electric and Dakota Energy for 38 years, Quoin Financial Bank for 34 years, South Dakota Sheep Growers Board for 20 years, Hyde County ACS Committee for nine years, National Livestock and Meat Board, Our Savior Lutheran Church Council, Central South Dakota Sheep Producers, Washington Township Board, and 4-H leader.

Dennis and Norma enjoyed traveling the country going to organization meetings.  In 2008, Dennis retired from active farming.  He took up a hobby of putting together puzzles and giving several puzzles to family members and friends.  Even after retiring, he still tried to make himself available to help wherever needed. 

Survivors include his two daughters: Marcia (Loren) Stulken, Highmore, and Glenda (Bob) Leisinger, Highmore; two grandchildren and their families: Matt Leisinger and children: Bailey, Natalie, and Brody; Laurie (Jerry) Woodward and children: Jessica and Weston, Custer; one brother, Gary (Gay) Ruzicka; and one sister-in-law: Pat Ruzicka.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Norma; parents: Anton and Faye Ruzicka; one brother, Lorne Ruzicka; and three sisters-in-law and husbands: Freda (Milton) Johnson, Rose (Richard) Lennick and Lydia (Elmer) Bekken.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Dennis' arrangements.