Dennis “Denny” Van Dam, 74, of Colman, passed away on Wednesday, June 19, 2024 at his home. A private family service was held on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at St. Peter Catholic Church in Colman, SD.
He was born on August 4, 1949 to William and Muriel (Park) Van Dam at the Chester Clinic.
He graduated from Chester High School in 1967 and married his high school sweetheart, Shirley Leisinger on November 24, 1967 and had been married for 57 years.
Denny received his Bachelor of Science degree at General Beadle College in 1971.
He worked as a salesman at T&R Electric and Jerry’s Electric for almost 50 years. He served on the St. Peter Catholic Board, was an auditor and councilman for the City of Colman, and was a member of the Rod and Gun Club. He maintained and donated almost 40 years of service to the St. Peter Church grounds.
In retirement he loved mowing his lawn, watching football (attending many Notre Dame games) and his grandson’s baseball games.
Prior to retirement, he went hunting and fishing with his friends and even played softball.
He is survived by his wife, Shirley, Colman, SD; daughter, Angie May, Sioux Falls, SD, and son, Brian (Julie) Van Dam, Dell Rapids, SD; the loves of his life, grandchildren, Krista May, Taylor, Brooke, and Andrew (friend, Chloe) Van Dam; brother, David Van Dam, Chester, SD; sisters, Leanne (Gale) Swier, Madison, SD, Dianne (Darrold) Williams, Linda Nelson, Dell Rapids, SD, Joan (Bob) Van Liere, Wentworth, SD, Beth (Chuck) Buchheim, Chester, SD, Nancy (Dave) Sheridan, Harpers Ferry, IA; special aunts, Agnes Even, Humboldt, SD, Julie Abrahamson, Sioux Falls, SD, Rosalie Gannon, Dell Rapids, SD, Doris Singer, Falcon Heights, MN, and Betty Park, Colman, SD; brothers and sisters-in-law, Frank (Pat) Leisinger, Trent, SD, Rich (Peggy McAndrews) Leisinger, Harrisburg, SD, Kenneth (Nikki) Leisinger, Brookings, SD, Bob (Glenda) Leisinger, Highmore, SD, Kevin Leisinger and Amber, Sioux Falls, SD, David (Karen) Leisinger, Chancellor, SD, Doug (Julie) Leisinger, Crooks, SD, and Cleo Leisinger, Sioux Falls, SD.
He is preceded in death by his parents, William and Muriel; father and mother-in-law, Art and Veronica Leisinger; sister-in-law, JoAnn Van Dam; brothers-in-law, Tom, Joe, and Jim Leisinger, Dale Huntimer; and nephew, Ronnie Leisinger.
