Duane Kracke, age 61 of White, SD, passed away Sunday, January 26, 2020. Funeral Services are 2:00 P.M. Saturday, February 1, 2020, at Zion Lutheran Church in White with burial at Fairview Cemetery in White.  Visitations will be 5-7 P.M. on Friday, January 31, 2020, at Eidsness Funeral Home in Brookings.

Duane (Dewey) W. Kracke was born on July 13, 1958, in Hendricks, Minnesota, to Wallace and Frances (Tirrel) Kracke.  He passed away at his daughter's home in Aurora, South Dakota with his children by his side on January 26, 2020, at the age of 61, after a battle with cancer.

Duane was one of six children born to Wallace and Frances Kracke. Growing up on a farm near White, Duane could often be found helping his dad on the family farm. Duane attended Deubrook School District until he graduated in 1976.  Duane later graduated from Vo-Tech in Canby, Minnesota.

On June 27, 1980, Duane was united in marriage to Darlis Aaberg.  The couple had 4 daughters together, Karmen, Lisa, Nicole, and Michelle.  They later divorced.

Duane enjoyed working in construction most of his life, and most recently worked for Prunty's Construction in Brookings.  Duane was baptized and confirmed through the Zion Lutheran Church in White, SD, where he continued to be a lifelong member.

Duane was well known in the White community throughout his life as being the town patrol.  He especially loved visiting Perkins, where he enjoyed sitting, sipping coffee, and sharing in conversations about life early in the morning.  Duane was known to make several trips to and from Brookings each day, and in his travels made frequent stops at Newman's Gas Station Brookings, the Palace Café in White, and the Country Pump in White.  He also greatly enjoyed spending time with his other family at Brookings Behavioral Health and Wellness, where was affectionately known as the office handy-man.  He also enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, and cracking jokes with everyone.

Although Duane was a man of few words, his presence was truly a gift to those who knew him.  Growing up, Duane's friends knew him as "Smiley," due to the fact that although he never said much, he always had a huge smile on his face.  It seemed that no matter what challenges Duane may have been facing, he always had a smile to share with those around him.  Duane also loved to make others laugh.  He always kept the coffee hot, the pot full, and was always prepared for the next good conversation.  Duane had a very kind and gentle spirit, and was willing to help others whenever they needed it without the expectation of anything in return.  He will be greatly missed.

Survivors include Duane's four daughters: Karmen Kracke (Trevor), of White, SD, Lisa Kracke, of Brookings, SD, Nicole (Ross) Cochran, of Aurora, SD, and Michelle Kracke (Brian) of Gary, SD; 8 grandchildren: Dartanion Lehman; Rhiley and Ava Grenz; Allie, Sydney, and Lincoln Cochran; and Griffin and Sophia Livermore; 4 siblings: JoAnn Mathis, of White, SD, Diane Hintz, of Brookings, SD, Daniel Kracke, of White, SD, and Pam Gordon, of Atwater, MN.

Those preceding Duane in death include: his parents, Frances and Wallace (Bud) Kracke; his grandparents; a brother, Steven; a brother-in-law; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Duane's family would like to send a special thank you to Amy Ward and Courtney Young, and all of the other employees at Brookings Behavioral Health and Wellness Center.  Our dad couldn't have asked for better friends, and you have truly been the biggest blessing to our family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Duane's family for future designation.