Gwen (Pfennig) Dinkins

Gwen, mother, grandmother, and wife, went to her Heavenly home on September 23, 2024 after a battle with cancer.  Gwen Pfennig Dinkins, 77 of Beulah, ND died at home. Services will be held at 11:00 AM CT on Friday, November 22, 2024 at Zion Lutheran Church, Beulah with Pastor Kathleen Nygaard officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the church.

Gwen was born on March 7, 1947 to Helmuth and Lea (Benz) Pfennig in Beulah. North Dakota.  She was the oldest of five children. Gwen was baptized and confirmed at Peace Lutheran Church north of Beulah. 

Gwen attended school at Slope Elementary School north of Beulah and Beulah High School.  She graduated from Dickinson State University with a degree in Elementary Education and a Secondary degree in Physical Education. She received her Master’s degree from the University of North Dakota.  Gwen taught in Dickinson, ND in 1968, in Velva, ND from 1969 -1975, and on the island of Kwajalein in the Marshall Islands from 1976-1983, and for the Beulah Public School system from 1983 until her retirement.  After retiring from education, she worked for the Department of Public Instruction in Bismarck, ND and enjoyed managing the Lake Shore Cabins.    

On July 3, 1968, she married Danny Dinkins.  They shared 52 wonderful, adventure filled years.  They had two sons, Firm and Kana.  Gwen and Dan were very proud of the people that their sons became and their many accomplishments.  Firm and Kana brought two daughters-in-law to the family, Kristen and Lilly.  They became very special members of the family and Gwen was finally not outnumbered.  Gwen dearly loved her amazing grandchildren.  Firm and Kristen’s son, Owen (14) and Kana Lilly’s children, Chesley (10) and Mae (8). 

Gwen is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law; Firm and Kristen of Bozeman, Montana and Kana and Lilly of Grand Junction, Colorado. Three grandchildren, Owen, Chesley and Mae; four sisters and their spouses, Glenda and Jeff Schoch, Bismarck, ND, Kathy and Bill Wahl, Tucson, AZ, Karen and Jim Pundt, Dickinson, ND, and Kaylen and John Kessler, Glen Ullin, ND.; one brother-in-law Pat Dinkins (Gerri) Dinkins, Bison, SD, five sisters-in-law, Judy Dinkins, Hazen, ND, Peggy Benz, Dickinson, ND, Cathy Koffler, Searcy, AR, Iris Boeshans (Wayne) and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Danny Dinkins, her mother, Lea Benz Pfennig, her father, Helmuth Pfennig, her father and mother-in-law, Chesley and Polly Dinkins, brothers-in law, Brian Dinkins, Bernie Benz, Bob Brooks, Lyle Koffler, Paul Dinkins; and sisters-in-laws, Minnie Rohr and Pollyann Brooks. 

Memorial contributions can be made to Zion Lutheran Church of Beulah, ND or Pfennig Wildlife Museum of Beulah, ND. 

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