Dennis Wayne Schrader
April 16, 1942 ~ July 23, 2019
Dennis W. Schrader, 77, of Sioux Falls, died Tuesday, July 23, 2019, at home, with family present, after hard-fought, lengthy battles with COPD, lung cancer, and heart disease.
Memorial Services will begin at 6pm, Monday, August 5, 2019, at Heartland Funeral Home. Visitation with family will be 4 to 6pm with Full Military Honors at 5:45pm, prior to the service. Inurnment will take place at a later date, at the new State Veterans Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Dennis’ s memory.
Dennis Wayne Schrader was born April 16, 1942, in Madison, SD to Wayne and Eileen Weber. Upon their untimely deaths in a train/auto accident, Dennis, at age 5, and his baby sister were adopted by their aunt and uncle, Helen (Weber) and Emert Schrader. The new family expanded to include a new brother and sister. He attended schools in Madison and graduated high school in 1962. That same year, he enlisted in the Air Force, serving his country in Vietnam earning an honorable discharge in 1964.
After his discharge, Dennis married Sharon Tryon.
They had three beautiful daughters, Amy, Jill and Jennifer. In February of
1980, he married Patricia Leih. They were blessed with 39 happy years of
marriage. He was employed by Golden Sun Feed for 11 years, then became an
over-the-road truck driver for 40 plus years; his last 25 or so years with
B&G Transportation in Madison, SD.
Dennis enjoyed hunting and would take advantage of weekend road hunts whenever
he could (frequently bringing home a pheasant or two.) Even though he was a
long-haul driver, he still enjoyed travel vacations and would take yearly trips
around the U.S., including several special trips with his siblings in later
years.
Dennis retired in 2012, at the age of 70, to enjoy spending more time with his family, attending grandkid’s sporting events, relaxing at home, and making his yard the envy of the neighborhood until failing health made it too difficult.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Pat; daughters, Amy (Tim) Donelan, Sioux Falls, Jill (Terry) Mutziger, Arlington, SD, and Jennifer (David) Olson, Sioux Falls; mother, Helen Schrader; sisters, Janene (Ray) Thomas, Cedarburg, WI, and Sharla (David) Scholl, Sioux Falls; nine grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his birth parents, Wayne and Eileen Weber; father, Emert Schrader; and brother, Max Schrader.
Dennis was such a fun part of our pulmonary rehab exercise classes years ago at the Wellness Center. His quick wit always gave us a smile. His giggle was infectious. We loved tricking him to do the Chicken Dance. God Bless his memory. We were certainly blessed to have know him.
Pat and family, You have our love and sympathy. Sorry to read of Dennis’s death. We were morning ‘exercise buddies’ at the Wellness Center with leader Darcy and we consider ourselves ‘family’ with one another. May you find God’s peace through your sadness and sorrow. Lovingly, Carol A. Olson, in Sioux Falls.
Our prayers are with your family. Sincerely, Doc snd Joan Kappenman