Erhart was born May 15, 1927, to Henry Denke and Esther (Eisenbraun) Votroubek of Sturgis. Erhart grew up on the family farm north of Creighton along with his siblings and attended Hammon Country School.

Erhart enlisted in the U. S. Army December 22, 1948, and transferred to the U. S. Army Reserve December 22, 1949. He was honorably discharged on December 21, 1951. During the Korean War, he worked as a medical technician in the Tokyo Army Hospital.

On June 1, 1955, he was united in marriage to Alice Hirchert in Quinn, SD. To this union, six children were born. Erhart and Alice raised their family on the farm north of Creighton. Erhart also worked various other businesses including a spraying business, D & H gas station, and the country store to name a few.

Erhart enjoyed spending time with friends and family, hunting, fishing, attending auctions, and traveling.

Erhart Edwin Denke, 90, of Sturgis, was called home December 18, 2017, surrounded by family.

Grateful for sharing his life are his wife, Alice of Sturgis; his children, Kenneth (Nancy) of Creighton, Debbie (Marty) Gartner of Philip, Bruce of Sturgis, and Michael of Sturgis; grandchildren, Zachary Denke, Kari Denke, Coddy (Rachael) Gartner, Katrina Gartner, and Tyler Gartner; great-grandchildren, Kiara Perkins, Andy Grimes, Maria Denke, and Fisher Trautmann; brother-in-law, Jimmy Hirchert; and nephew Justin Hirchert.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Denke and Esther Votroubek; daughter, Barbara; son, Carl; brothers and sisters-in-law, Harold and Hilda Denke, Helmuth and Marie Denke, Adolph and Violet Denke, Julius Denke, and Eugene and Marge Denke; sister and brother-in-law, Clara and Thurston Crose.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 26, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 27, 2017, at Blessed Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Sturgis with Pastor John Fries officiating. Burial, with military honors, will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.