Dorrell "Butch" Pelkey

Dorrell “Butch” Pelkey, III, age 89, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Peaceful Pines Senior Living.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 21, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Milbank, SD. A visitation will be held on Thursday, August 20, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, with a prayer vigil and Rosary beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the Mass at the church on Friday. Burial will be at St. Lawrence Cemetery in Milbank at a later date.

The service will be livestreamed and recorded and will be viewable at the bottom of this page.

Dorrell “Butch” Pelkey, III, was born on May 13, 1937, in Saginaw, MI, to Dorrell Jr. and Marcella (Campau) Pelkey. He was baptized and confirmed at Holy Family Catholic Church in Saginaw. Butch attended St. Andrew Catholic Grade School and High School through 10th grade, where he participated in both football and baseball. He was involved in speed skating and was awarded several medals. Butch then attended St Placid Hall at St. Meinrad Archabbey in St. Meinrad, IN, graduating in 1955. Later that year, he joined the Blue Cloud Abbey Community in Marvin, SD, where he took the name of Brother Dominic and received the role of farm manager.

After many years, Butch discerned the call to leave the brotherhood and moved to Watertown, SD, and began working at Telelect. He crossed paths with Jeanne (Mackey) Lindell. She became the “love of my life”, and the two were united in marriage on June 11, 1994, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Wilmot, SD. He then moved to Milbank and took a job with Hicks Brothers farming operation, where he worked until his retirement at age 82. Butch appreciated working with cattle, being in the fields, and enjoying his time outdoors.

Butch was an avid gardener and found fulfillment planting, harvesting, and sharing the work of his hands with friends and neighbors. He canned many fruits and vegetables, was known for his salsa, and was able to enjoy his hard work at the dinner table all year long. Not just a man of the outdoors and gardening, Butch was also a man of faith. He was an active member of St. Lawrence Catholic Church, where he found a community that nurtured his spiritual life. He was particularly proud of his contributions to the Red Cross through his blood donations, exemplifying his belief in the importance of giving back.

Butch loved family and treasured his trips back to Saginaw. He delighted in the family Jeanne brought to his life. There were phone calls and visits from those who lived farther away. Those who lived closer joined in on card playing, fresh raspberries from his garden, and Saturday nights watching the Mollie B Polka Party. People who met him sensed his gentle nature, quiet wit, recognizable gratitude, and genuine love.

Butch will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Jeanne Pelkey; his brother, Ken (Kay) Pelkey, and four nephews; and his Lindell family: Timothy (Janet) Lindell; Mark (Aleta) Lindell; and Julie Lindell (Steve) Marks; along with his seven grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Dorrell Jr. and Marcella Pelkey; sister and brother-in-law: Janet (Pelkey) and Tim Smith; and nephews: Patrick Pelkey and Jerry Smith.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Lawrence Cemetery, 113 S 6th Street, Milbank, SD 57252.

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