Dr. Dennis Devries Ela

Dennis Devries Ela was born on February 17th, 1947 in Madison, Wisconsin to George Burgess and Mildred Devries Ela. He had a happy childhood growing up on Lake Mendota, playing with cousins and friends. One of his favorite activities was picking apples at the Ela Apple Orchard as a family activity during harvest season.

Dennis grew up in a strong family line with a large value on education and public service. His parents were both attorneys, but that was not at all appealing to him, so he chose to become a physician. Dennis attended the University of Wisconsin and obtained both a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and a Doctorate of Medicine, graduating in May 1973.

While in medical school he met the love of his life, Diane Elizabeth Siedschlag, a nursing student. Their relationship began by conveniently (or maybe intentionally) running into each other in the library to study. Their bond strengthened one night in 1970 as student protests of the Vietnam War turned violent, leading to tear gas in the library where they were studying and needing to evacuate. They took care of each other then and laid the foundation for a love story that would last over 50 years.

Dennis and Diane married on November 27, 1971 in Monroe, Wisconsin. After completing medical school, they moved to Wichita, Kansas for Dennis’s residency at St. Joseph Hospital, one of the first family practice residencies in the United States. While there, they welcomed their first child, their daughter, Tracey.

While in residency, Dennis had been mentored by Dr. A.J. Reed, who had opened the first minor emergency center in the United States in Wichita, Kansas. Dr. Reed selected Dennis to be one of his resident employees at his clinic. He then asked Dennis to partner with him to expand the vision. After researching where he could make the biggest impact, Dennis moved his young family to Austin, Texas, and Dennis opened Texas’ very first minor emergency center in 1976.

Being a doctor was so natural for Dennis because of his loving, gentle, caring spirit and attention to the smallest details. He was very thorough and attentive with every patient and also loved and cared well for his staff. He became very involved in the medical community in Austin and was active in the Travis County Medical Society, Texas Medical Society, and he became the President of the county Family Practice Group.

Dennis expanded his practice to three clinics in Austin. Eventually, he found the expansion pulled him away from his family more than he liked. He wanted more time to spend with his family, which by then included two more children, sons Carl and Scott. He changed his employment from running the clinics to working as a physician at the IBM medical department to obtain a lighter workload. Even after retiring he stayed active in medical research.

Above all of his achievements and credentials, his favorite role was being Dad to his three children. He adored them, loved pouring into them, and supported them in whatever they pursued. He instilled in them a deep faith in the Lord, the value of hard work, how to love people well through acts of service, and the importance of family.

Getting to become “Poppy” to his six grandchildren thrilled him. He researched every fun thing to do around Austin and delighted in taking the kids to all kinds of activities. Over the years, he attended hundreds of volleyball, lacrosse, basketball, and soccer games, dance recitals, band concerts, school and church programs…he couldn’t wait for any opportunity to see them. He loved being on the lake with his family, either fishing, boating, kayaking, swimming, or just enjoying the views.

Dennis loved being outside and felt most peaceful there, especially the mountains of Colorado. He worked outside endlessly planting fruit trees and working on projects. He was passionate about learning, attending lectures on endless topics and maintaining his medical continuing education hours for three decades after he stopped practicing. He never stopped learning. He loved to share his vast, eclectic knowledge with his kids and grandkids (and anyone else who would listen).

Dennis was a doting husband to Diane. He served her daily and continually put her needs above his own. He was constantly surprising her with new and unique activities and events they could share together. They shared a love of music, especially acapella, bluegrass, Elvis, and anything that incorporated yodeling. He consistently encouraged Diane to try new things, and was endlessly supportive of her varied passions. He was kind and gentle. Their laughter together only increased in frequency, and their love for one another deepened over their 53 years of marriage.

The most central part of Dennis’s life was his faith. He was a member of LifeFamily church. His faith truly guided how he lived, how he cared intentionally for people, how he saw needs and would rush to meet them. He was generous from his heart, both financially and in serving others. He loved the Lord and was confident in the hope of heaven.

Dennis is preceded in death by both his parents, Burgess and Mildred Ela. He is survived by his loving wife, Diane Ela, his three children: Tracey (Jeff) Gemperle, Carl (Kimbra) Ela, and Scott (Kaimey) Ela all of the Austin area, and his six grandchildren: Avery and Amber Gemperle, Ellie and Katie Ela, and Hudson and Harper Ela.

A Celebration of Life service will be held Monday, July 14th at 10:00 a.m. at the LifeAustin Chapel, 8901 W. Hwy 71. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Austin Disaster Relief Network’s Central Texas Flooding Event in memory of Dennis.

The family would like to personally and sincerely thank all of the first responders who attended to Dennis the day of the accident. Thank you for your quick response, your tireless efforts, and your empathy. From the Pedernales Fire Department, shift B and A. Battalion 801, Engine 801, Engine 802, Brush Truck 801. From Lake Travis Fire Rescue shift B, Battalion 602. Quint 603. From Oak Hill Fire Department shift B, Truck 302. Austin Travis EMS, and Travis County Sheriff.