Mary Carlene Deck,

Rapid City – Mary Carlene Deck, 82, of Rapid City, entered eternal rest on March 1, 2025.

Carlene was born on June 6, 1942, in Le Mars, IA to Carl Oscar Duwenhoegger (08/17/1914 - 05/05/1963) and Victorine (Dickie) Louise Duwenhoegger (10/21/1917 - 02/13/2003).

She is proceeded in death by her husband of 59 years Gene Howard Deck (03/11/1939 – 01/15/2023).

She has two daughters:

Mary Victorine Hamilton (Jerry)

Gail Gennene Arnburg (Jeff)

Grandchildren: AJ Arnburg & Samantha Arnburg

Her Son preceded her in passing: Carl Gene Deck (07/19/1966 – 12/13/2006)

Grandchildren:

Randall G. Deck (Maria)

Jessica M. Valdez (Christian)

Matthew C. Deck

Great Grandchildren:

Ernie Deck

Brooklyn Valdez

Sabrina Deck

Hailee Valdez

Kendall Deck

McKenzie Valdez

Randall Carl Deck

Four Siblings: Norma Jane Prestjohn-Volz (Tim) – Tiffini & Carlene

Gail Marie Christopherson (Thorphn)

Carl Joseph Duwenhoegger (Val) - Kelly, Cliff, Clint & Garrett

Susanna Faith Taylor (David) – Sam, Jordan & Aric

Carlene grew up on a Farm in Oyens, IA and then Sisseton, SD. Where she talked of milking the cows early in the cold mornings before going to school, and how she enjoyed driving the farm equipment far before she had a driver license.

Carlene worked at Kresge’s and State Farm in Rapid City.

She met her husband of 59 years in Rapid City, SD. Gene was in the Airforce and proposed to Carlene at Canyon Lake right across the street from the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church where they married on August 3, 1963, and where their first two children were baptized. Carlene was a faithful Catholic, studying her bible and prayer books every morning and participated in many rosary vigils, bible studies, volunteering for the Funeral lunches and many other activities with the church and their members.

After having their first child in December 1964 Carlene stayed home to raise her three children. Always keeping busy, she was a Tupperware lady, Avon Lady, Watkins spice salesperson. She was an avid seamstress, crocheter, knitter, crafter and excellent cook! She made many of her children’s clothes when they were young, had a large vegetable garden where she canned and preserved. And passed that knowledge down to her children & grandchildren. She belonged to a knitting guild where they made hats for newborns at the hospital and scarves, mittens and blankets for children at the shelters.

We had a wonderful family Sunday dinner tradition where Mom would put out the largest spread of appetizers, main meal & of course wonderful desserts. She would go all out decorating for every holiday (Christmas was her favorite and she went all out with decorations) and made each and every child, their spouses and grandchild feel special and at home. There was no place like Granny & Papas.

Being a Military wife, she also lived in Cheyenne Wyoming, Springfield Massachusetts, Mississippi, and settling for the last 10 years before retirement in Anchorage Alaska. Where she had a huge vegetable garden, made honey from the native fireweed flower & clover and enjoyed the outdoors.

After the children got older and were in or close to high school Carlene decided to re-enter the workforce and became a Civil Service worker who processed all of the Military members out for retirement and discharges where she received many achievement and Service awards for her hard work. She started that at Elmendorf AFB, Alaska and transferred to Edwards, AFB in California when Gene retired from the Military. Retiring Aug. 2, 2002 after 25 years!

Gene & Carlene spent many years in California as Gene worked in Satellite communications in Los Angeles and Carlene continued her work for the Civil Service. Where they had many celebrations with their children, grandchildren, great grandchildren.

When it came time to retire Gene & Carlene decided they would move back to South Dakota so Carlene could be close to her Mom, sisters, brother and their families in the hopes that the children would follow. They moved on 14 beautiful acres they bought years before in the Black Hills with a creek running through it. There they created their dream home. They enjoyed many visits from children & grandchildren but, the harsh winters kept them from moving there permanently.

Carlene’s Favorite things:

Carlene will be deeply missed by everyone who met her, including close friends Pete & Mary Dowse.

Carlene will be honored on June 8th, 2025, at Behrens-Wilson Funeral home in Rapid City for a wake and gathering of family and friends and the following day June 9th, 2025, for a funeral mass at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church followed her burial at the Black Hills National Cemetery next to her husband Gene H. Deck.

Notifications will be mailed closer to this date. For any additional information please contact her daughter Mary Hamilton at: deck@hamiltonsbookkeeping.com