A famous writer once said “The song has ended, but the melody lingers on"
If that is true, then Dad's song may have ended, but his melody lives on in our fond memory's of him. And judging from the nodding heads I see in front of me, it seems that many of you agree.
EARLY LIFE
Dad was born Dennis Ewald Biedenbender on May 18th, 1943 in Appleton WI. He was the Second child of Ewald and Alice Biedenbender and had three brothers Don, Doug, and Phil.
SCHOOLING AND WORK
Dad went to into the Army June 6th 1962 and served his country overseas until May 3rd 1965. He then served in the Army reserves until June 24th 1968 when he was honorable discharged. Dad went on to have careers in Sales, Insurance, and Retail Management.
MARRIAGE AND FAMILY
Sometime in 1966 Dennis met his first wife Cathleen Myers in Oakland CA where Dad had served in the Army reserves. They married and had a Son, Brian in 1968. In 1972 they split and Dennis moved back to the Midwest where he met Debbie Young. They married November 24th, 1973 in Waterloo IA and eventually had 4 boys together. Seth, Aaron, Adam, and Joshua. After having 4 boys while living in Iowa the family moved around a bit and ended up settling in Denver CO where he and Debbie raised their 4 boys. After some tough times he and Debbie split up but continued to raise the 4 boys until they either went off to college or on there respective career paths. Dad decided once all of his boys had moved out of state to move back to California and live closer to his Mother and 1st son Brian. Dad loved spending his time in wine country and caring for his mother. He eventually got a job doing something that he really loved. Working at a winery in Napa. As dad's health begin to go downhill he decided to move closer to his boys in Dallas Tx where he met Diann and fell in love again. Dennis was quite smitten with Diann and wasn't afraid to tell everyone he knew about her. We are extremely grateful to Diane for lovingly taking care of our Dad during the past few years of his illnesses. She did so much for him while we couldn't be there. We appreciate her love, kindness, and Patients with our Dad
HOBBIES AND SERVICE
I asked family and friends to tell me what they remember most about Dennis. There are so many good memories that his friends and family shared, mostly what people really remember about Dad was his ability to make people feel at ease around him. He was quick with a joke or a good story. No one was ever a stranger when my dad entered a room. His boys have fond memory's of Dennis taking them skiing and lazy Sunday's just hanging out or swimming all day in the summer. Dennis loved the outdoors and taking his boys camping, fishing, hiking and Skiing. One of his greatest joys was being a father and a Grandfather. Dennis fathered 5 Boy's Brian (wife Julie), Seth, (wife Katie), Adam (wife Daniella), Aaron (wife Barbie), Joshua. He was lucky enough to live in California when his first two granddaughters were born. For the next 10 years Dennis spend weekends, Holiday's, Birthdays, and any time he could manage with his granddaughters Madeline and Macy. In addition to Madeline and Macy Dennis had a total of 7 Granddaughters and 2 Grandsons. Madeline, Macy, Isabella, Lillyonna, Caden, Emily, Harper, Eliza and Lincoln.
His son Adam remembers in particular when Dad took us skiing for the first time. I remember that dad had put my brothers and I in a half day ski lesson. After lunch we all rode up the chairlift together and got off the chairlift together. The next thing my Dad saw was 4 of his boys go off in different directions down the hill as fast as they could go and leaving Dad at the top of the hill (the bunny Hill) having to decide which boy to chase down.
Dennis would often take his boys on little adventures in the outdoors whether is was skiing, camping or Hiking he loved spending time with his kids and Grandkids in turn.
Brian's Uncle Grant had this to say about Dennis " I have nothing but good memories of him that I will keep until I head out.
Always thought he was nuts. He had a late model (1965 Mustang) with a stick shift. He taught me to drive it on the hills of San Francisco. I could barely drive let alone drive a stick in SF. He was also the king of dumb jokes! I'm sure I've told you these things before. He had a real positive impact on this 15-16 year old kid."
SUMMING UP
Dennis was a remarkably fun loving good person. He was a person of great integrity and personality who loved his boys more than anything.
Above all, Dennis was a good Dad, a good partner, a hard worker and just fun to be around, and had an "up for anything" attitude toward life. Dennis believed in working hard and having a good time with the people he cared most about.
In closing, I would like to share this poem with you:
Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow. I am the diamond glint on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain. I am the gentle autumn rain.
When you wake in the morning hush, I am the swift, uplifting rush
Of quiet birds in circling flight.
I am the soft starlight at night.
Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep.
Dennis, thank you for being part of our lives. We are all going to miss you.
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