Dennis William Krier

Dennis William Krier

July 16, 1944 – January 31, 2026

Dennis William Krier died January 31, 2026 at Ava’s House after a hard fought battle with Parkinson’s and Lewy Body Dementia.

Denny was born July 16, 1944 in Mitchell, SD, the 4th son of Ewald (Tony) and Irene Krier.  He lived on a farm near White Lake, SD until the age of 9, when his family moved to Hartford, SD.  He attended Hartford Elementary and High School, graduating in 1962.  In high school, he was active in all sports with basketball being his favorite during school years and baseball during the summer.

He attended Dakota State College where he played baseball.  He graduated with a Bachelors Degree in 1966.  He later attained his Masters Degree from South Dakota State University.

He married his high school crush Cheryl Aldrich on July 15, 1966.  They moved to Colton, SD where he began his teaching & coaching career.  While in Colton, he coached boys youth baseball (all ages) while playing himself for the Renner Monarchs.

In 1969, they were blessed with the birth of their daughter, Renae.  He moved his family to Baltic, SD where he accepted a teaching and head basketball coaching position at the high school. From 1972 to 1975, he taught and coached basketball at Chester, SD.  He retired from teaching in 1975 to pursue other interests and coaching.

In 1977, he bid and was privileged to be awarded Daubys Sports Shop from the estate sale of the original owner.  He was very proud of the store. In 1985, he relocated Daubys from Main Street in downtown Sioux Falls to a new store built on 41st Street. He ran this business until his retirement December 31, 2009.

He loved all sports, including bowling and golf.  His bowling team participated in many National Tournaments over the years.  He also enjoyed playing golf with his friends. He enjoyed the comradery with friends, as he admitted golf was not his best sport.

He played baseball with the 50 & over South Dakota Teams that won two MSBL World Series Tournaments in AZ in 1994 and 1995.  He always wore one of the two rings proudly until his death.

His biggest passion was Softball.  He played Men’s Fastpitch from 1965 to 1994 in Sioux Falls.  He played for: Brass Rail, Gaslight, Thomas Distributing and Taco Villa. He and his teammates won several league titles while playing, as well as tournaments, which included, winning SD State title with Gaslight in 1982 and winning the State Masters titles in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1991 and 1992 and he played in several Regional and National tournaments. He managed and organized the annual Midwest Early Bird tournament.  He served as President of the Sioux Falls Local League 1986-1988. He  sponsored youth softball teams for over 35 years proudly.  He was an avid promoter of ASA softball in South Dakota.  In 2016, he was inducted into the USA/ASA South Dakota Hall of Fame.

In his spare time, he volunteered to coach his daughter’s YMCA basketball teams from 1980 through 1987. He coached his grandson’s baseball teams 2009, 2013-2014 and his grandson’s basketball team in 2019.

He is survived by his wife of 59 yrs, Cheryl; daughter, Renae (John) Pekas and grandsons Nathaniel Pekas and Benjamin Pekas, Sioux Falls, SD.  Brothers; Fran (Janette) Krier, Sioux Falls; Richard (Shirley) Krier, Sioux Falls; Gary Krier, Hartford; Gale (Linda) Krier, Coeur d’Alene, ID; Sisters; Diana Drath, Sioux Falls; Linda (Bob) Barlow, Purcellville, VA; Brother in-law Don (Connie) Aldrich Crooks, SD, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.  He was preceded in death by his father, mother and infant sister, Mary; his father and mother-in-law, Earl and Martha Aldrich; sisters in-law, Carol and Gloria Krier; brother-in-law, Don Drath.

Visitation will be at Heritage Funeral Home on Monday, February 9th with family present from 4:00-6:00 pm; Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, February 10th, at 10:30 am.  Interment at a later date at St. George’s Catholic Cemetery, Hartford SD.