Dennis Carl Gerhard, 62, of Sioux Falls, SD, formerly of Redfield, SD died Tuesday, October 20, 2009, at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

His funeral will be Sunday, October 25, 2009 at 2:00 pm at St. John's Lutheran Church in Groton. Reverend Craig Grams will officiate. Internment will be at a future date. Coffee and cake will be served after the service. (www.thelenfuneralhome.com)

Dennis was born April 3, 1947 in Ipswich to Carl and Martha Gerhard. Dennis lived at home with his family until he moved to the South Dakota Development Center, in Redfield in October of 1963. In August of 2004 Dennis moved to Sioux Vocational/Achieve in Sioux Falls.

During the last years of his life, Dennis loved his home on Tennis Lane where he was loved and cared for by the wonderful staff of Achieve. Dennis loved going for car rides, looking at magazines, shopping and helping in the kitchen. Dennis brought joy to the lives of many, put a smile on everyone's face, and will be greatly missed by his family and his Achieve family.

Grateful for having shared in Dennis' life are his sister, Janice Herman of Conde; brother, David Gerhard (Helen) of Groton; brother, Dale Gerhard of Sioux Falls, 4 nieces, 4 nephews and his Achieve family. He was preceded in death by his parents.