Duane Edgar Gaulke, 84, of Hill City, SD, passed away February 2, 2025, at Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD.
Duane was born June 4, 1940, to Edgar (“Bud”) and Gladys (Nelson) Gaulke in Chamberlain, SD. He grew up on a family farm near Gann Valley, SD, with his brother, David, and sister, Alice. His grandparents, Gus and Laura, also lived on the farm at the Gaulke Family Homestead.
Duane attended a one-room school house and often told stories of taking a potato to school and putting it in the wood stove to cook until lunchtime. He was proud of his heritage and that for a period, his mother was the teacher at the school. He graduated from Gann Valley High School in 1958 and enlisted in the Army that August. Duane was exceptionally proud of his military service, including his level of security, communication responsibilities, and his knowledge of Morse Code. Following basic training, he studied to become a Direction Finder Operator at The Army Security Agency School at Fort Devens, MA. He later transferred to Fort Lewis, WA, where he was a Radio Teletype Operator. Duane received a Medal of Good Conduct during his service and was honorably discharged from the Army in 1961.
Following his years of service, Duane returned to Gann Valley, SD, and worked on a variety of projects, including the Big Bend Dam near Fort Thompson. He moved to MN in 1967 in search of work, where he trained to become an electrician and proudly joined the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union (IBEW).
Duane met the love of his life, and wife of 55 years, Margaret (whom he fondly called “Pasha”), in Savage, MN on one of his many bowling nights. Despite their initial connection, they didn’t cross paths again for a year, when they saw each other again at the same bowling alley. From there, sparks flew, and they were married on October 11, 1969, in Las Vegas, NV. Duane and Margaret had two children, Duane Jr. (DJ), born in 1970, and Jill, born in 1974.
Those who knew Duane knew of his lifelong love for baseball. He began playing as a child, catching a ride to town with the mail carrier, who was also his coach. His parents were very proud and went to every game. Duane later played amateur baseball for the Jordan Brewers in MN, managed the team, and following his amateur career, founded the Minnesota Senior Men’s Amateur Baseball Association (MSMABA) which provided competitive playing opportunities for athletes age 35 and older, who had aged out of amateur ball or had retired from professional baseball. The MSMABA began with four teams in 1979 and grew to include more than 16 communities across the state of MN, holding an annual state tournament each August, including a special one in the Metrodome in Minneapolis. Duane held many roles as a player (1st baseman), coach, manager, and president of the association. One of his greatest honors was his induction into the MN Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
Duane also had a lifelong love for the Black Hills of SD. He spent many years hunting and fishing and staying at the Gaulke Family Cabin. He spent many family vacations in the Hills, teaching his children to hunt, fish, and appreciate nature. Duane and Margaret purchased land outside of Hill City in 1996 and together began building their retirement home, board by board, over the next many years. Duane retired from his career as an electrician in 2000, at the age of 60, and Margaret and Duane moved to their home outside of Hill City in 2015 where they enjoyed the last decade together going on nature drives, searching for wildlife, and exploring the Black Hills.
Duane and Margaret also enjoyed traveling with their good friends and family. From Alaska, Hawaii, Nevada, Colorado, Missouri, and Washington to the Great Smoky Mountains, they explored much of the country.
Duane is preceded in death by his parents, Edgar (Bud) and Gladys Gaulke, brother-in-law, John Crater, nieces Dawn Crater Bult and Barbara (Bobbi Jean) Gaulke, and great nephew Dustin Wee. Duane is survived by his wife Margaret, son Duane Jr. (DJ) Gaulke, daughter Jill Castle, grandchildren Jackson Caffee, Westin Gaulke, and Kaia Castle, brother David Gaulke (Judy), sister Alice Crater, and many nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held 9:30 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., Saturday, February 15, 2025, at Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer, SD. Funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. Committal services will follow at Hill City Cemetery in Hill City, SD, with full military honors presented. Luncheon to follow at The Little White Church in Hill City.
A memorial fund has been established to support the family.
