Dennis Dean Munoz received his heavenly wings in the early morning hours of February 1, 2024, at Kimball County Manor. After many years of ill health and chronic pain, Dennis was lifted into the arms of our loving Savior and is now resting in eternal life in Heaven. Following his wishes, cremation has taken place and a Celebration of Life will be held Friday, August 2, 2024 at 10:30 a.m. at Cantrell Funeral Home. Friends may visit www.cantrellfh.com to share stories and leave condolences for the family. Memorials may be given in his memory to Kimball County Manor for the resident activity fund. The services for Dennis have been entrusted to the Cantrell Funeral Home.
Dennis was born on January 20, 1947, in Kimball, Nebraska, to Emma (Moench) Munoz, and Jesse Munoz, Sr. He was the youngest of 5 children. Dennis attended Kimball Public Schools and lived in Kimball all his life, except for a brief time in Montana where he worked on a cattle ranch. He married his first wife, Linda Steger, in July of 1968, adding their son, Jeffrey, in 1969. Dennis worked for the Union Pacific Railroad as a welder, and then switched to Rite-A-Way Industries, where he did finish work and helped build multiple I-80 Motels across Nebraska, Colorado, and Wyoming. In 1976, Dennis went to work at Accessory Sales as a spot welder and in 1978, Dennis and Karen Doremus Schepker married and joined their families, adding Diane in 1979. A few years after that Dennis went to work for the Kimball County Road Department, running heavy equipment for 24 years. Ill health forced his retirement in 2007, and he really missed his work, where he maintained roughly a hundred miles of county roads.
When Dennis was still in decent health, he would take his family camping and fishing. One highlight for Dennis was going to Lake La Ronge in Saskatchewan to fish for pike and walleye. He also enjoyed playing cards with special friends, June and Jens. Many weekend nights were spent around the kitchen table playing “Oh Heck” and other games. In his home away from home, The Kimball County Manor, Dennis especially loved and appreciated all his wonderful caregivers, who doted on him. Tuesdays and Fridays were his favorite days because he thoroughly enjoyed playing noodle ball and bingo.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Karen, brother Robert Munoz of Galt, Ca., sons Jeffrey of San Antonio, Tx., Michael Schepker of Kimball, daughters Diane (Gerald) Shonebarger of Quaker Hill, Ct., Kristina (Mike) House of Tampa, Fl., grandsons Caden and Ryland Shonebarger, Phillip Munoz, granddaughters Faith House, Angel (Carson) Reuter, Catrina Hallett, many nieces and nephews and several great grandchildren.
He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Jesse Jr. and wife Ada, sisters Carol Jenkins and husband Glen and Lucille Johnsrud and husband Arden, sister-in-law Inez Munoz, daughter-in-law Bridget Munoz, a nephew and a great nephew.
