Sigurd Sigmund Daehnke, M.D., 92, of Winfield, Kansas, passed away Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 at William Newton Hospital.
Born November 28, 1926 in Hazard, Nebraska, Sigurd “Sig” was the son of Henry William Christian and Ruth Eva Antoinette (Wihlborg) Daehnke. Sig was raised and received his education in Fremont, Nebraska. After graduating high school at age 17 he joined the United States Navy and proudly served his country in World War II. He served in the Pacific Theater aboard LST950. Upon receiving his honorable discharge from the Navy, he went to Valparaiso University in Indiana for his undergraduate studies. While at Valparaiso, he met and married Geneva Rae Owens. To this union, three children were born. The couple later divorced.
Following his undergraduate studies, he returned to Nebraska where he received his Pharmaceutical Degree from the University of Nebraska. Sig worked for a short time as a Pharmacist in North Platt, Nebraska before returning to the University of Nebraska, where he received his Medical Degree. In 1959, the family moved to Wichita, Kansas, where Dr. Daehnke served his internship at Wesley Medical Center. In 1960, the family moved to Winfield where Sig worked as a Physician until moving to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1965. He served his Residency in Internal Medicine at St. Francis Hospital in Honolulu. In 1968, the family returned to Winfield and Dr. Daehnke joined Snyder Clinic.
Dr. Daehnke was united in marriage to Freda Wolfe Holt on June 2, 1989 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winfield, Kansas. The couple made their first home in Honokaá, Hawaii on the Big Island, where Dr. Daehnke worked at Hamakua Medical Center. They then moved to the island of Maui and lived in Honokawai and he worked for Kaiser Permanente. In 1993, they returned to Winfield and Dr. Daehnke rejoined Snyder Clinic where he remained until it closed in 2004. He then began working at Westside Clinic, retiring in 2013.
Sig was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church, the Cowley County Republican Party, and the Cowley County Medical Society. He enjoyed running, participating in four marathons every year, fishing, reading, and spending time with his family.
Sig’s family includes his wife, Freda of Winfield; his children, Glenda Evans of Augusta; Kevin Daehnke and wife Tricia of San Clemente, CA; his step children, Mick Holt and wife, Lisa of Sedan; Roger Holt and wife, Robin of Mocksville, NC; Malia Barnthouse and husband, Jim of Arkansas City; his sister Naomi Miller of Tarpon Springs, FL; his sisters-in-law, Irene Daehnke of Morrisville, NC and DeDe Daehnke of Fremont, NE; grandchildren, Rick Burger, Daniel Burger, Shannon Daehnke, Griffin Daehnke; step grandchildren, Casey Holt, Tyler Holt, Haley Holt, Madison Holt, Melody Holt, Baleigh Burroughs, Reed Barnthouse; great grandchildren, Dillon, Riley, Nathan, Lucas, and Knox.
In addition to his parents, Sig was preceded in death by a daughter, Diane Burger, a son-in-law, Gene Burger, five brothers, Henry, Ralph, Paul, Harold, and Ted Daehnke, and two sisters, Iona Fullington, and Ruth Jaume.
Funeral services will be held Monday, April 29, 2019 at 1:00 P.M. at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winfield. Interment and Military Committal Honors will follow at the Kansas Veterans Cemetery. A visitation will be held at Miles Funeral Service on Sunday from 2 to 6 P.M. The family will greet visitors from 2 to 4 that afternoon.
Memorials have been established in Dr. Daehnke’s name for William Newton Hospital Foundation and for Trinity Lutheran Church. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.