Clayton Tucholke

Clayton Tucholke, 78, of Milbank, SD, passed away on Monday, February 9, 2026, at St. William’s Care Center in Milbank.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Spirt of the Cats’ Foundation Building (formerly the Grant-Deuel School) in Revillo, SD. Vicar Emelia Enquist will officiate. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 13, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at Mundwiler Funeral Home in Milbank, SD. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service on Saturday. Burial will be held at LaBolt Cemetery.

Clayton Anton Tucholke was born on June 15, 1947, to Anton and Sadie (Homan) Tucholke. He grew up on the family’s 125-year-old farm, where he developed a lifelong love for agriculture and the land. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith. Clayton graduated from Milbank High School in 1965 and went on to further his education at South Dakota State University, studying agricultural operations.

In 1968, he was united in marriage to Shirley Benting. Together, they were blessed with two children, Victor and Sarah, through adoption. Clayton farmed until 1996. During this time, he also owned and operated Tucholke Equipment on the family farm. He then owned and operated Tucholke Seed and Supply until 2009. After that, he returned to farming alongside his son-in-law, Mark, until his full retirement.

On September 5, 1998, Clayton was united in marriage with Denise “Penny” Peschong at Big Stone Lake. They made their home in rural LaBolt until 2019, when they moved to Milbank.

Throughout his life, Clayton held many roles. He was a dedicated farmer, Vermeer equipment salesman, and Pioneer seed salesman. He faithfully served Grant County as a commissioner for 28 years. He was instrumental in helping build the LaBolt Mini Mall and aided in improvements to the LaBolt Dam. In addition, he was a former board member of the Human Service Agency, First District of Local Governments, Whetstone Valley Electric, and the South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA). Clayton was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Revillo. He also belonged to the Whetstone Valley Sportsman Club and the Grant County Sportsmen’s Club. He was a lifelong supporter of wildlife habitat conservation and National Wild Turkey Federation. He served in the National Guard and was a member of the Milbank American Legion.

Outside of his many responsibilities, Clayton enjoyed hunting and fishing. Most of all, he cherished spending time with people, especially his family, sharing stories, and passing the time in good conversation. You would often find Clayton in the stands or in the audience; he never missed a kids’ or grandkids’ sporting event or any activity they were in. You would always find him there.

He is survived by his wife, Denise “Penny” Tucholke of Milbank, SD; children: Victor Tucholke of Big Stone City, SD; and Sarah (Mark) Erickson of LaBolt, SD; sister, Connie (Gary) Tries Styer of Fresno, CA; brother, Loren (Sandy) Tucholke of Milbank, SD; grandchildren: Gunnar (Samantha) Tucholke, Devin DeMent, Jacob Erickson, and Oliver Erickson; along with many nieces and nephews; and former spouse, Shirley Tucholke. He was preceded in death by his parents: Anton and Sadie Tucholke; brother, Manfred Tucholke; and granddaughter, Alexis Tucholke.

In lieu of flowers memorial may be sent to South Dakota Parkinson’s Foundation: 1000 N West Ave, Suite 110 in Sioux Falls, SD 57104.