On July 8th, 2024, Dennis “Denny” James Weiler, 72, crossed the threshold to the Great Beyond while doing one of the things he loved most, running. Those who knew him best also know it was the only time he was in a hurry. All other activities in his life were executed at a pace that made a tortoise look like an Olympic sprinter, constantly trying the patience of those around him. Miss Universe spent less time preparing for a pageant than Denny did getting ready to leave the house.
Born on September 6th, 1951, in Marshfield, Wisconsin to Thomas and Rosaline Weiler (Kempen), Denny spent his childhood on the family tree farm, surrounded by dozens of cousins from the Weiler, DuPree, Klonowski, and Korslin clans, testing the human limitations regarding the ingestion of poison ivy berries, dodging lawn darts, and awkwardly playing the accordion. Unfortunately, with the latter, he fell far short of fulfilling his parents' dream that he become the next Lawrence Welk. A self-described geek, he graduated top of his class High School in 1969 before attending the University of Wisconsin. There he was exposed to the countercultural revolution, developing a lifelong love of music, especially the Beatles, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Dylan. Despite Denny’s love of music, he couldn’t hold a tune if it had a handle on it (which is probably why he liked Dylan so much, if we’re being honest). During this time his college roommate invited Denny to his home for the holidays where he met his roommate’s sister, Debra. She quickly became the love of his life. In the words of said roommate, “he followed me home and never left”.
After receiving his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering in 1973, he decided working for “the man” might not be half bad and got a job at 3M, where he would go on to have a long and successful career. He married Debra in 1975. Shortly afterward Denny’s job took them to Italy, where they briefly lived la dolce vita. After the birth in 1979 of his first child, Heather, Denny received his Master of Business from the University of Minnesota and shifted his focus from engineering to marketing. Three years later the family welcomed a second child, Erik. A career opportunity through 3M led the family to relocate to Austin, trading Minnesota’s frozen tundra for the sweltering sauna of Texas. Despite his mother’s frequent childhood warnings to “never get too sweated up,” Denny discovered a passion for running in his 40’s, channeling his preternatural ability for all things efficient to become a running machine. That sparked a fiery fanaticism for fitness that extended beyond running to include cycling, raising money and awareness riding the MS 150 with his children.
He retired in 2012 to concentrate on the things he really loved: being a devoted son, husband, father and grandfather all while pursuing his passion of brutally punishing himself with excessive physical activity. After having successfully completed dozens of marathons, including the Boston Marathon in 2000, he thought to himself, as most completely rational people wouldn’t, what if I ran a marathon after swimming a couple of miles and riding my bike for 100 more? This led him to train for and complete two Ironman Triathlons in 2013 and 2014. When not pushing his body to the limit, he enjoyed traveling through Europe with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law, going for long bike rides with his son, and spending summers in Wisconsin with family. A dedicated lifelong learner, he devoured books on a wide range of subjects. Most of all he concentrated on being a wonderful and attentive “Opa” to his grandchildren, Olive and Timothy, reading them stories, engaging their imagination, and taking them to swim classes, passing on his love of all things fitness to the next generation.
Denny is preceded in death by his parents, Tom and Rosie Weiler, and infant brother, Gerald. He is survived by his wife, Debra Weiler, his daughter Heather Weiler (Jeremy Fields), his son Erik Weiler (Bethany Weiler), his grandchildren Olive and Timothy Weiler, his brother Don Weiler (Lisa Weiler), as well as dozens of cousins, nieces and nephews, all of whom will miss him dearly. Denny will also be missed by the employees of Costco, who are probably wondering where that lean, small, bearded man who hangs around there eating “Costco tapas” is right about now.
Funeral Services will be held on July 20th, 2024 at Triumphant Love Lutheran Church on 9508 Great Hills Trail in Austin, Texas at 1:00 pm. Please feel free to come by and share your stories in fellowship and, in honor of his obsessive practicality, dress casually in a manner befitting the Texas heat. In addition to a cornucopia of leftover protein bars and energy drinks, light food and beverages will be served. In lieu of flowers, the family asks donations be sent to National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
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