Dennis D. Drier

Dennis Drier passed away June 1, 2025, at the age of 81.

“Beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility and patience.” Colossians 2:12

Beloved husband of Lyle (Leidersdorf) Drier, brother of Paul, (Tammy), brother-in-law of Joan (David) Kaul and Ann (William) Rudolph, favorite uncle of Seth, Jamie (David), Joel (Megan), Heidi and Amber (Michael).

He was the kindest, caring, patient, sensitive, diligent and meticulous of people and a good friend to all. Whether he was giving a good friend and future best man at his wedding a daily ride to school, sharing a listening ear, a caring word of encouragement, some precious direction, a smile or a good life story, delivering newspapers to residents of Towner Crest during Covid or standing next to and sharing Lyle’s 17 year battle with multiple myeloma, you knew that he was invested and deeply cared. As a child he battled rheumatic fever that affected his heart which got him out of climbing the ropes in gym class but never slowed him down. He rode his bike to watch the Vince Lombardi championship Green Bay Packers practice and give the team players drinks of water. It just made him more sensitive to the needs and struggles of others. While a T.A. at the U. W. Madison, he met and fell in love with Lyle Leidersdorf. They were married on August 15, 1970, and shared both the challenges and joys of life together for 53 years.

In Dennis own words, “I graduated from UW-Madison with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in accounting. After a stint with a public accounting firm, I went on to teach accounting at UW-Platteville for a number of years. While teaching at the UW-P, Lyle and I became quite active in the Antiques business. According to one of Dennis’ fellow faculty members at the UW-P, I was the only person who ever gave up a tenured faculty position to go into the Antiques business full time... which is probably true! For 41 years Lyle and I traveled across America and the pond to England seeking antiques for customers. We said the best part of our Antique business was not the interesting antiques but the people that we met along the way. Thank you to our many customers and peer dealers who made these 41 years such a fascinating and joyful journey. Following retirement from the Antiques business we continued to travel, got hooked on birding, (thank you Bev and Dick, we are so glad you came into our lives). Lyle became a national award-winning rug hooker featured in “Celebration Magazine” creating well over 353 pieces of art."

Dennis didn’t like to be away from home and Lyle wanted to travel. Lyle asked if he wanted to go to Cuba? He said “No!” She said, “If I want to go to Cuba would you go with me?” Of course, he answered “Yes!” This was the highlight of their travels that included Alaska, Hawaii and beautiful National Parks, Costa Rica to see birds and much closer to home regular visits to Horicon Marsh.

When Lyle passed away life was not the same. Someone very precious was missing. He missed her spirit, courage, creativity, companionship, direction and the gift of their love. Before she passed, they wrote and exchanged love letters. He wrote: “As long as Lyle was in the world, I knew somebody loved me....”

“Thanks to a great family Paul, Tammy, Seth, Joan, Dave, Joel, Jamie, Heidi, Ann, Bill and Amber for being a part of my life.”

At Dennis’ request, a visitation and service will not be held. Remember him with a kind thought and shared experience. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Dennis' honor would be appreciated to ProHealth Angels Grace Hospice N74W35908 Servants, Oconomowoc, WI. 53066.