OBITUARY
Erik Lawrence Dienberg
March 15, 1976 – March 24, 2021
Erik was born in Thornton, Colorado. He passed away after a short, but intense battle with cancer at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Kansas City, Missouri surrounded by his wife and family members. Erik was 45 years old.
The oldest of two children born to his parents Lawrence (Larry) and Roberta (Bobbie) Dienberg, Erik grew up in Longmont, Colorado and graduated from the University of Colorado. He has worked as an electrical engineer with Burns and McDonnell for fifteen years in various departments and capacities in their Colorado, Toronto, Virginia, and Kansas City offices.
Erik and his wife, Brooke, met through their church in Colorado Springs. They married in Palmer Lake, Colorado on May 27, 2007 and have lived in Kansas City for eight years.
Erik will be remembered as a man who deeply loved his wife and found great joy in being a father. His family will treasure memories of roller coaster rides, bear hugs, birthday breakfasts with dad, and the spontaneous way he planned vacations and said “yes!” to new life experiences.
He expressed his faith in Christ through generosity—like the night he was late in coming home from work because he saw a young mother on a street corner and stopped to buy her a Target gift card, or the times he gave what was in his pockets to someone in need. Erik was comfortable in his space and liked to invite people in. He enjoyed inviting friends over for burgers on the spur of the moment, sharing a beer with the guys around the backyard firepit, or hosting their church small group for weekly Bible study and meals.
Erik is survived by his wife, Brooke, and their three young daughters: Paige, Emery, and Lydia; his parents, Larry and Bobbie Dienberg; sister Karri (Aaron) McCleave and their son, Seth; mother-in-law Paula Freeman; brothers and sisters in law: Chad (Melissa) Freeman, Nick (Jenn) Freeman, Tyler (Holly) Freeman, Hope and Sarah Freeman, Abigail (Camden) Ensmenger; and seven other nieces and nephews.
Contributions in his honor may be made to Providence School of Arts, 5809 Michigan Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64130, www.providenceartskc.org or Ice Studios School of Dance, 7714 Prospect, Kansas City, MO 64132, www.icestudiosdance.org.
FAMILY
- Lawrence "Larry" Dienberg, Father
- Roberta "Bobbie" (Stockdale) Dienberg, Mother
- Brooke (Freeman) Dienberg, Wife
- Paige Dienberg, Daughter
- Emery Dienberg, Daughter
- Lydia Dienberg, Daughter
- Karri McCleave (Aaron), Sister
- Seth McCleave, Nephew
- Paula Freeman, Mother-in-law
- Chad Freeman (Melissa), Brother-in-law
- Nick Freeman (Jenn), Brother-in-law
- Tyler Freeman (Holly), Brother-in-law
- Hope Freeman, Sister-in-law
- Sarah Freeman, Sister-in-law
- Abigail Ensmenger (Camden), Sister-in-law
- Seven (7), other Nieces & Nephews
Services
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Memorial Service
Friday, April 9, 2021
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Committal of Ashes
Friday, April 9, 2021
Memories
Erik Lawrence Dienberg
have a memory or condolence to add?
ADD A MEMORYDarrell Leis
April 14, 2021
I was fortunate to work with Eric on a very complicated project. I was always impressed by his professional capability, but more by his ethics and unquestionable honesty. Be with God Eric. See you on the other side.
Marcy Faber
April 8, 2021
Erik exuded the joy of Christ and joy in life itself, particularly in his role of husband and father. At church he would always go get his girls from their classes before the last song so they could experience that part of corporate worship - an example of his thoughtfulness as a parent.
Brooke, we are confident that God is above all and knows the end from the beginning. Otherwise this turn of events would be just impossible to accept. He promises to never leave or forsake His children. We will continue to uphold you and your family in prayer.
ISHA WILLIAMS
April 1, 2021
We here at Ice Studios School of Dance will truly miss Mr. Dienberg. We appreciated his love and support for our program. He always made sure we had healthy snacks for the students, safety items and made donations yearly to help keep our program going. We will make sure the girls keep dancing in his honor and shine bright on stage every show. We pray for peace and strength to all family and friends during this time.
Melissa Freeman
April 1, 2021
I have always had a special bond with Erik as we are "in laws" to the large Freeman family. I appreciated his warm hugs, dedication to his daughters and wife, and willingness to help anyone with anything. It was abundantly clear he adored his daughters and they brought him so much joy. I miss him and am so sorry he died so suddenly. Chad and I are committed to helping the Dienberg family in any way possible.
Chuck Ha
March 30, 2021
Erik and I had many discussions about life in general. He wasn't shy about what he believed in and he was very honest and unapologetic. That is what I loved about Erik. You knew where you stood with him and his opinions. I may not know Erik as much as his close friends and family, but I do know that he loved his wife, Brooke, and their three precious girls...as he referred to them as "my girls." I will miss those discussions that I had with Erik and our Broncos-Chief football talks. I will truly miss him and I wish nothing but the best for his wife and their three girls. God Bless!
Matt Noonan
March 29, 2021
Erik will be remembered for his unconditional love and the gift of his time, energy, and resources. We shared many moments together as photographers, and he wouldn’t bat an eye about lending his gear to anyone who could use it. I love you, man. I’m so sad you are gone. You are loved, and you have changed the lives of so many.