Dennis Dunlavy

Dennis J. Dunlavy passed away after a short illness surrounded by family on Thursday, August 22, 2024, at the age of 82. Dennis was a loving son, brother, friend, husband, father, teacher, coach, farmer, and grandfather.

Dennis was born on July 10, 1942, in New London, Wisconsin, to Clarence “Pete” Dunlavy and Ava Jane (Christensen) Dunlavy. He was raised on a dairy farm outside Clintonville with his eight brothers and sisters, with whom he remained close. He graduated from Clintonville High School and then from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point.

After high school, Dennis worked at the American Motors Company in Kenosha. During this time, Dennis developed his love of cars and his future wife, whom he met after agreeing to a blind date with a nursing student from the Mount Sinai School of Nursing. Patricia and Dennis married on October 10, 1964. Their daughter Bridget was born in 1967, and their daughters Kerry and Jenny followed in 1969 and 1972.

Dennis began his teaching and coaching (track and cross country) career in Loyal, Wisconsin. He then moved back to Clintonville and started teaching in Shawano. His students made a lasting impact on his life, and he made one on theirs as well. He loved getting updates on his students' lives. He could remember their names, family details, and who they married or dated in high school.

 In 1979, Dennis left teaching and somehow convinced his former “city-girl” wife to move to a dairy farm near Pella. Raising his three daughters on a farm in the early 1980s was challenging, but he taught them determination, persistence, resiliency, and the value of hard work. Many of his former students were happily drafted into service on the farm, helping out as needed and giving Dennis a break.

 While those farm years were hard because there was always work to be done, Dennis managed to take an occasional break to make memories with his girls. They fondly remember playing a game of Fox and Geese in the newly fallen, deep snow. Dennis and Patricia also opened their doors to many of their daughters’ friends over the years. It was not uncommon to find their living room littered with the bodies of giggling girls and then, eventually, sleeping teenagers.

 Even after he retired from farming, he remained connected to the local farming community. He worked for many years visiting farmers to test their milk for what is now Weyauwega Star Dairy.

 Like most of the Dunlavy family, Dennis loved to talk. He was a great storyteller. While he usually added a few embellishments, his enthusiasm only made the stories more entertaining. He loved exchanging stories with those farmers. Years later, he could still point out each farm and tell you who had lived there and what changes or improvements they had made.

 Dennis and Patricia were thrilled to be grandparents. Dennis loved spending time with his grandchildren when they were little. He would have them on his lap in his recliner, either reading to them or telling them tall tales. Many of his favorite stories were about ghosts, especially “Red Beard” and “Oscar.” The highlight of the years with his grandchildren was the week each summer when his daughters and grandchildren were all together “up north” in Townsend. That family time was precious to him.

 In the years after he retired, you could usually find him at his beloved home tinkering with something. He always seemed to be fixing something with one or more of his brothers. On any given day, someone would stop by for a visit. His home was a gathering place for his family, especially during holidays and deer hunting season. Family meant everything to him.

 Dennis loved reading, going to farm auctions and old car shows, watching his grandkids play sports, and looking at houses for sale—usually in Arizona. His youngest granddaughter said he liked to "drive around and around and around."

 Losing his wife of 56 years was very difficult for him. At 78, despite his best efforts not to, he learned a few new tricks. He could cook a couple of things for himself if he had to. However, he was fortunate to have many friends and family who ensured he didn't have to cook too often. He acknowledged that having three daughters to care for him in his old age was a stroke of genius.

 Dennis is survived by his daughters: Bridget (Mike) Babino, Kerry (Steve) Baird, and Jenny (Doug) Slocum; five grandchildren: Braxten Surber, Austin (Stephanie) Baird, Hannah Baird, Braylyn Babino, and Keira Slocum; siblings: Patsy Warmbrunn, Jane Clem, Chris (Bruce) Patterson, Brian (Gloria) Dunlavy, Tim (Yvonne) Dunlavy; Patricia’s cousin Craig Slattery; and his loyal cat Chaz, who helped him through some tough final years. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Patricia and his brothers Terry, Donnie, and Ken.