Denny Gaspar, age 76, of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, passed away at his home on April 29, 2025, as a result of an ongoing heart condition.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, May 10th, at Holy Spirit Church (3601 E. Dudley Ln, Sioux Falls, SD 57103). A private burial with family will be at Woodlawn Cemetery. A visitation with family present will be held from 4:30 to 6:30 pm on Friday, May 9th at Miller Funeral Home Downtown (507 S. Main Ave., Sioux Falls, SD 57104).

Denny was born on October 16, 1948, in Chester, SD, to Raymond and Frances (Helsper) Gaspar. He grew up on the family farm in Chester and graduated from Dell Rapids St. Mary High School in 1967. He earned a bachelor's degree in education from Dakota State University, a master's degree in education from South Dakota State University, and was a part of the doctoral program in education at the University of South Dakota. While working on his doctorate, he was employed by Mount Marty College in Yankton, SD, and became the Director of Elementary Education.

While in Yankton, he met and married the love of his life, Kathy (Kate) Beare, on July 11, 1975, at Mount Mary Chapel. Together, they set out on Denny's dream to become an entrepreneur and own his own business. He began as a Taco John's franchisee in Missouri before relocating to South Dakota to learn about the automotive industry. In 1983, he opened Denny Gaspar Chevrolet, Pontiac, Buick, and Geo.  This marked the beginning of his 25+ year career in the car dealership business, which included a Chevrolet store in Worthing, SD, and a Ford store in Dell Rapids, SD. Denny was a hard worker, determined to succeed. He always wore many hats as the owner, salesman, mechanic, and car washer!  Denny coined the phrase, "Cars are like eggs, they are cheaper in the country." He loved his customers and was a well-respected businessman, earning many achievement awards from General Motors for customer service.

Denny and Kate raised two daughters, Meghan and Kelly. As a family, they made countless memories traveling around the world and attending kid's school and sporting events.They cherished their 30 years at Lake Okoboji.Summers were spent at the lake. Denny loved his screened-in porch where you would find him playing pitch with family and friends or contemplating the next lake toy he was going to purchase. At one point, he owned so many watercraft, he was granted a boat dealer license!

Denny was fortunate to retire in 2005, and together he and Kate spent 20 years enjoying their homes in Anthem, Arizona, Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Okoboji, Iowa. During that time, you would find Denny on the golf course, on a boat, or with his family. For those that knew Denny, he was a man of few words, but when he expressed something, you knew he meant it. He was a kind and gentle man and always put his family first.

In their nearly 50 years of marriage, Denny and Kate enjoyed many wonderful times together. They were soul mates, rarely leaving each other's side. Denny was a very proud dad of the girls and their accomplishments, however one of his most cherished titles was Grandpa.  He was a fun and active Grandpa, teaching all six grandkids how to fish, cheering them on during their activities, and buying whatever treats they wanted! They were his pride and joy.

Celebrating Denny's life and mourning his passing are his wife Kate, his daughters, Meghan (Paul) Goldammer of Sioux Falls, SD and Kelly (Tor) Ingstad of Jackson, Wyoming, his six adoring grandchildren Nora, Ben, Odin, Gray, Wells, and Bertie, siblings Carol (Bob) Mergen, Judy (Jerome) Baumberger, sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces and nephews, and many dear friends. Denny was welcomed into heaven by his parents, Raymond and Frances Gaspar, sister Pat O'Loughlen, brother-in-law Matt O'Loughlen, brother Jerry Gaspar and parents-in-law Vern and Eileen Beare.