Daniel K. Penn
November 22, 1947 – February 3, 2023
Daniel Keith “Coyote” Penn passed away on February 3, 2023, at Monument Health Spearfish, SD Dan was born November 22, 1947, to Walter and Hattie (Brewer) Penn in Belle Fourche SD. Dan was the youngest of five children, he joined his three sisters and one brother.
Dan was raised on the Penn ranch in Harding County, SD. During his high school years, he learned the construction trade while on his summer breaks with local contractors. Dan graduated from Buffalo High School in 1967.
Later Dan moved to Colstrip, MT and worked for Oftedal Construction, out of Miles City MT. While working for them, he operated various heavy equipment, especially Scrapers, and Blades. He became very proficient in the operation of the blades. He did not excel when he was in school, but he found his calling in road construction and operating heavy equipment. He could look at the land and see exactly what he needed to do which sometimes did not agree with the engineers, but they often referred to his expertise. Dan would make the trip back to South Dakota in the fall when construction season came to a halt and would help work the family ranch with his parents until construction season restarted.
This went on for several years, it was during this time that Dan met the woman that was to become the love of his life. In the fall of 1975, he returned to the ranch to find Gayle Rookhuizen, a new teacher at Camp Crook, visiting with his parents. She had met his dad, as a patient in Billings, while she worked as an aid in Billings, under the instruction of his sister. They were married on October 9, 1976, in Billings, Mt in the First Congregational Church. After a brief weekend honeymoon, they returned to Colstrip, and later to Harding County to the ranch where they made their home.
In the late 70’s Dan started D & S Construction based out of Buffalo, SD with Sonny Nation. During this time Dan and Gayle welcomed the birth of their daughter Desirae in 1982. They operated the business until 2000 when Dan and Gayle were once again back at the ranch full time. While on the ranch Dan’s health took a turn, and it was discovered he was a diabetic and this caused his kidneys to fail. It was determined he would need a transplant but dialysis in the meantime. He went through dialysis for three years before finally receiving his transplant in 2008. They continued to operate the ranch until 2010, when the decision was made the decision to sell the ranch. To keep himself busy after the ranch life, Dan purchased a blade to maintain the roads in Harding County and do many other jobs for people in the area. Besides ranching, this is what Dan loved to do most in his life. They remained there until building their new home in Harding, SD. This is where they lived until Dan’s passing.
Dan is survived by his loving wife Gayle, daughter Desirae (Shannon) Stotz, Bowman, ND, bonus daughter Ruth Douglas, Rapid City, SD, Grandson Ryan (Brittany) Stotz, Gwinn, MI, Granddaughter Breanna Stotz, Bowman, ND, great-grandson Bentley Stotz, great-granddaughter Willow Stotz, Gwinn, MI, Sister Donna Patterson, Spearfish, SD, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was proceeded in death by his parents Walter and Hattie Penn, in-laws Edward and Barbra Rookhuizen, sister Jane and brother-in-law Bill, sister Rita and Brother-in-law Gerald, brother Albert “AB” and sister-in-law Bev, brother-in-law Pat, niece Shantel, great niece Stanna, nephew in law Stan, nephews Mike and Dwight, and several cousins.
There will be a celebration of life to honor Dan on May 26 with a committal service at the Harding Cemetery at 4:00 pm, followed by a celebration of Life at the Buffalo Bar. The family invites all who knew Dan, Gayle, or Desirae to share this special time with the family.
Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Isburg Crematory of Spearfish. Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com
