Denny Thomas

1955 - 2016

Thomas, Denny

Denny L Thomas went from this earth to chatter with the Lord. For those that have known him from the West to the East Coast and beyond understand. He had the ability to make everyone he met feel important in every role, not matter what that role or the significance. His calming personality knew exactly what to say to make the most upset individual walk away feeling good and wondering how he talked me into that.

Visitation will be Monday from 4 to 8 pm at the Hansen Schilling Funeral Home (1010 E Veterans Parkway, Marshfield, WI). The service will be held on Tuesday at 11 with 1 hour of visitation prior to the service at St John's Lutheran Church in Spencer. Honorary pallbearers will be Bob Kult, Jim Manier, Bob Haight, Jim Monarski and Dave Bogolub.

Denny was born to Peter and Lydia (Atskatsowa) Thomas on August 4, 1955 in Marshfield, Wis. He attended Marshfield Public Schools and graduated from Columbus Catholic High School. He also attended Mid State Tech for Surgical Technician, and was a Certified Professional Health Care Risk Manager. He was employed as Director of Risk Management with St Joseph's Hospital Ministry Health Care for 27 years. He began his quest to make a difference in this world by teaching EMT's and Paramedics for all the Fire Departments in Central Wisconsin and later he found his passion when he became an Instructor for the National Center of Biomedical Research and Training at LSU, the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services for the state of New York and the Noble Training Center, in Alabama., He was also previously employed as a Patient Care Manager at Marshfield Clinic, Physician Assistant at Abbotsford Medical Clinic, Emergency Medical Technician Instructor throughout many communities in Central Wisconsin, and Chief Medical Examiner for Marathon County Sherriff's Department, he served his community on the Spencer Fire Department and EMT for 25 years. His passion for disaster preparedness took him to numerous cities across the United States as well as Europe and the Middle East. No matter what lives he touched as an instructor, coroner, paramedic/EMT, he made a difference with his compassion and respect for the person and the profession.

He was awarded the Outstanding Young Citizen of Wisconsin and also had numerous publications printed for Disaster Preparedness and Risk Management throughout his lifetime. He also served on multiple committees in Washington DC. Denny loved volunteering at the Come Meal at St John's Lutheran Church in Spencer and knew exactly how to make each person he served feel welcomed.

Even though his work commitments took him out of town much of the time, he always found time for his family. He loved his beloved Door County and spent numerous hours with his grandchildren taking walks, exploring the parks, galleries, water, attending plays and always finding an adventure somewhere. It was always a worry when he went on one of these adventures as his wife was not always sure who was more responsible, his grandchildren or him. He so loved sharing special time with Kylie and his horse Midnight. One of his favorite pastime hobbies included salt water aquariums. His other pets also include Cuddles, his bird and Snickers, his Yorkie.

While we know his legacy will live on professionally, his true legacy will be left with his family where he was a committed and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend and neighbor. Denny was a devoted husband to his wife Gwen of 41 years, a dedicated and loving father to Ryan (Kelly Konkel) Thomas, Dana (Aaron) Egner, a passionate and loving grandfather to Kylie and Carson Egner; Jaxson, Madison and Brooklyn Thomas, super uncle to Liam and Grace Connelly and adopted Grandpa to Carisa Timm, loving uncle to many nieces and nephews and caring friend. He is also survived by his mother Lydia Thomas of Marshfield and sister Sandy (Alex) Wallshlaeger of Sobieski, WI. He was preceded in death by his father Peter Thomas, brother Ricky Thomas, father in law Wilbur Mellenthin and nephew Jacob Kopp.

The family wishes to express gratitude to the many staff of St Joseph's Hospital, especially Dr. Yeboah, Dr. Claussens, Dr. Okon and all the RN's who cared for him especially Stefan who gave the best messages . Your compassion and dedication to his care will never be forgotten. You made this difficult journey a little bit easier for us all.

Finally, Denny's favorite motto in life was "never burn a bridge, as you will never know when you might need to cross it again".

Online condolences may be made at www.hansenschillingfuneralhome.com for your convince.

In lieu of flowers memorial please make donations to St. John's Lutheran Church Come Meal or to Spencer and Marshfield Fire Departments.