Dennis Jennings

Dennis Dion Jennings passed away peacefully at the age of 82, on December 17th, 2021, in Colorado Springs where he had lived since 1963 with his lovely wife, Margarete. Dennis was born on November 18th, 1939, in Cadillac, Michigan.

He moved from Michigan to Colorado with his mother when he was 16. He graduated from Salida High School where he met and began dating the love of his life and life-long best friend, Margarete. He joined the Army and served during the Berlin Crisis. He also taught English in Puerto Rico. He and Margarete married and had two daughters and adopted twin sons. He served as a fireman with the Colorado Springs Fire Department and then was often self-employed (owning and operating an asphalt company that paved the street into NORAD, painting post-offices nationwide, and co-owning a fine art picture framing business with his daughter and son-in-law, Dwayne to mention a few of his occupations).

He has left behind too many pianists, violinists and singers to count, a few harmonica players, a stand-up bass player, a cellist, a few guitarists, and one more big family version of “She’ll be coming ‘round the Mountain.” He is survived by his wife, Margarete Jennings; their son, Ralph Jennings, and daughters Diedre (husband Scott and children Kayla, Kate, Brooke, Lexi and Evan) Smith, and Cathy (husband Alan and children Brianna, Keenan, Torin, and Amaliya) Quick; and five great grandchildren (and one on the way). As well as his brother, Dexter (wife Jan and children Monica, Jodi, Constance, Dexter, and Nancy) Jennings; Sisters, Sherla Alberola (children Jean-Marc and Francoise), and Debra (husband David) Upham; and many great nieces and nephews all who adore him. Dennis is reunited with his son, Richard Jennings; granddaughter, Colena Quick; great-nephew Trevor Jennings; Mother, Margaret Bergman; Father, Arthur Jennings; Stepfather, Thomas Bergman; and brother-in-law Raphael Alberola.

Dennis was a funny, kind man with a gentle soul and a touch of class. While Margarete was listening to 50’s rock and roll, Dennis was listening to Frank Sinatra. Music followed Dennis everywhere. From his twangy banjo (an acquired taste), the gentle plucking of his mandolin, to his days playing fiddle in the band, The Prairie Wind, singing in the Church Choir, or even singing his tenor harmonies to “Here we sit like flies on the garbage pail” around the dinner table, fork in one hand and knife in the other, there is no doubt Dennis loved music and his musical family. As well as stealing the remaining morsels from his family’s dinner plates faster than you can say Jack Robinson. Oh, and ice cream. Dennis loved ice cream!

He loved the water. In 1963, after Kennedy’s 50 Mile March challenge, Dennis and Margarete swam their 50 miles in the warm spring community pool that his mother managed, in Salida, CO. He loved sailing. He always said that when he got old, he’d sail his boat into a storm instead of burdening his family (thanks for not doing that!). Dennis was a grammar critic before it was cool. He would correct his family’s grammar in humorous and repetitive ways; “This man? This one right here? Or do you mean A man?” He was a hardworking and humble man. He was incredibly proud of his son and grandsons for their military service but wanted no recognition for his own. He was skillful with a wood chisel. He retired twice, most likely just to have two parties and opportunities for dessert. Two of his heros were Louis L’amour and John Wayne. He was softspoken and poetic. He has touched an uncountable number of lives and is loved by many. He was a great man. He was Dennis the Great.