Amy Lynn Albrecht-Denton was born on July 6, 1972 to Russ and Connie Albrecht (Sandidge). Amy grew up in Deadwood, SD, and she always talked about going to her mom’s fabric store on Main Street. Some of her favorite memories included spending time with her family at the Two Bit Ranch outside of Deadwood, and going to the Cottage On The Lake in Watertown.
Amy graduated from Lead-Deadwood High School May 1990. She moved to Rapid City to attend Black Hills Beauty College and graduated in 1992. She loved her career as a cosmetologist and making people feel good about themselves.
Amy welcomed her first son, Derik Albrecht, on June 17, 1994 in Rapid City. She raised Derik on her own until she met her husband, Justin. Shortly after that, she gave birth to a second baby boy, Garrett Albrecht (who she affectionately referred to as Baby Fox) on February 8, 2002.
Amy and Justin were joined in marriage on May 29, 2004 at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church in Lead, SD. Garrett peddled his little John Deere tractor down the aisle with their rings.
The family traveled with Justin as he was working as a traveling nurse in Burlington, Vermont. One of the fond memories they have during that time was when Amy’s parents, Russ and Connie, flew out to visit them. Little old Garrett started running down the jetway to meet his grandpa and grandma. This was post 9/11, and people were quite jumpy! During this trip, everyone went over to Lake Placid to check out the Olympic Village. While they were over there, Russ paid for everyone to go on the bobsled, and said it was the fastest $100 he’d ever blown in his life!
Amy and the boys didn’t make it very long traveling, as they were all homesick.
Amy moved back home to Rapid, and Justin continued to travel. They would talk on the phone everyday, and Justin would fly home to see his family on his eight days off. It was during this time that Amy bought the salon, Hair It Is Again. She put her heart and soul into that business, until her Lupus got too bad to manage things.
Shortly after that, Justin quit traveling and settled back in Rapid City. Eventually, Justin began working in the Progressive Care Unit at the hospital, and while Amy may not have been a nurse, she was part of Justin’s work family. Anytime there was a PCU function, Amy was invited and if Justin didn’t bring her, he was in trouble! This just went to show how well-loved Amy was.
Amy had such a sense of humor and loved playing games. She spent many happy hours playing Fast Track, Cribbage, Nine Innings, Train and Skip Bo, usually with Teresa, Wayne, and Justin at her mom’s place. She, Connie, and Justin also enjoyed making some of the best jams, jellies, and baked goods you’d ever had. If you tasted their jalapeño jelly or sugar cookie cutouts, you know what we mean!
She also loved making friends, and there was never a stranger around when Amy was there. One time, when Justin and Amy were out, she told him she was going to meet 10 new people. Justin said, “10?” and she goes “Fine! 20 new people tonight!” Sure enough, Amy did go around and introduce herself to 20 different people! She had so many friends and so many memories.
Amy loved her family, friends, and fur babies. Her sons were a huge part of her life. After Garrett graduated, he continued a tradition from both sides of the family, and joined the Navy. She was so proud that her Baby Fox made the choice to serve his country! Derik was
passionate about music from an early age and learned how to play several instruments. Amy was always supportive and when he started performing publicly, went to shows as often as she could, calling herself his band’s biggest fan.
One of the happiest days for Amy was the day that she became a grandma. She had always yearned for a grandchild, and talked about this day constantly. She was so so excited when Derik and Christina gave birth to baby Aurelius! She nicknamed him “Lyle Lyle Crocodile” because changing his diaper was like trying to wrestle a crocodile! He kept standing up and patting his daddy’s picture on the wall. After that, she bought him a couple of Lyle Lyle Crocodile books and a rubber crocodile.
Amy was so excited for Aurelius’s first birthday coming up. She had ordered him a backyard playset and a swimming pool. She was going to make it a luxury fun park back there! She was looking forward to swinging in the backyard, roasting marshmallows, and making s’mores.
Amy was preceded in death by her dad, Russell Albrecht; father-in-law, Lynn Denton; grandparents, Neil and Audrey Sandidge, and Melbert and Velma Albrecht.
Amy is survived by her husband, Justin Denton of Rapid City,SD; her sons Derik (Christina) Albrecht of Rapid City, and Garrett (Jessica) Albrecht of San Diego, CA; Mother, Connie Albrecht of Rapid City, and Mother-in-law, Mary Denton, Rapid City; sister, Teresa(Wayne) Klima of Fort Pierre, SD; her sister-in-law, Heather (Chester) Cook of Belle Fourche, SD; nieces Ceara(Matthew) Kirth of Aberdeen, SD, Ashley(Cody) Wiesinger, Belle Fourche; great nephews, Austin and Terrence; grandchildren, Aurelius, Viktor, and Kisa; fur babies Gus, Burlios, and sweet little miss Karma.
Amy will be remembered for her warm, inviting smile, sense of humor, and her driving instructions and directions. She was always looking out for her family. She will be greatly missed.
“My world will never be the same without you by my side. You will always be in my heart and soul.”
Love,
Justin
In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to A Place For Meow Rescue, Rapid City: https://www.aplaceformeowrescue.org/donation.
Visitation will be May 22, 2025 from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Whitewood, SD. Funeral services will be May 23, 1:30 p.m. at the church, with burial to follow at Bear Butte Cemetery in Sturgis.
Arrangements by Kinkade Funeral Chapel.
