Adolf John Kauk, 97 of Spearfish, SD passed away July 17, 2016 at Fort Meade VA Medical Center.

Visitation will be from 4-6 PM on Wednesday, July 20, 2016 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel in Spearfish. Funeral services will be at 10:00 AM on Thursday, July 21 at the funeral chapel. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis.

Adolph was born January 12, 1919 to Peter and Margaretha Kauk in Zealand, ND. He was the oldest son of 16 children, 12 surviving. He grew up on a farm near Lehr, ND. At a young age he went to work to help support the family.

Adolph joined the CC Camps and helped build Roosevelt National Park in North Dakota. He was a sergeant in the Army during World War II and fought in the Pacific Islands. He spent 366 days on the front line in the Philippines as a machine gunner.

In 1947, he married Bernice Miller. They had a daughter Sheila. They moved to Lead, SD in 1956 where Adolph worked for Homestake Mine. He retired in 1982. He also did a lot of carpentry work in Lead.

Adolph enjoyed fishing, camping, and traveling. Adolph was an active volunteer at Fort Meade VA, Spearfish Senior Center, and the Hickory House in Spearfish.

He is survived by his wife, Bernice; daughter, Sheila (Tony) Pfeiffer; granddaughter, Lisa (Daryl) York and grandson, Dean (Mary) Pfeiffer; four great-grandchildren, Kyle, Tyler, Tawnya, and Amanda; three great-great grandchildren, Maddox, Lexi, and Kylie; brother Maynard and sister Ann.

He is preceded in death by his parents, five brothers, four sisters, and granddaughter, Tina.