Dennis Dean Heermann

1938 - 2025

Dennis Dean Heermann

April 19, 1938 - October 25, 2025

Dennis Dean Heermann was born in Burke, S.D., on April 19, 1938. He was born to Alnard and Hilda Heermann (Ludemann). Dennis lived his early life on a farm by Jamison. His family then moved to a farm near Naper, Neb. Dennis walked to country school a half a mile from his family farm and then graduated from Naper High School in 1956. Dennis joined The Air Force and was stationed at Enewetak Atoll in the Pacific, where he served in the fire crash rescue. When he returned home, he worked for Stoltenburg construction out of Naper. Soon, he met, dated, and married Lou Ann Stahlecker, even though her dad called him "that wild Heermann boy." Dennis and Lou Ann were joined in marriage on December 2, 1961. To this union a son, Shane (1963), and a daughter, Heidi (1973) were born. Throughout their marriage Dennis and Lou Ann often moved for Dennis' college studies at UNL for Civil Engineering and his many job opportunities. Residences included, Valentine, Lincoln, Norfolk, Rapid City, S.D., Colorado, and ending up in Valentine, where Dennis owned Heermann Engineering for 18 years. Dennis ended his career working for the Nebraska Department of Roads in Grand Island, Neb.

Dennis loved to hunt, ice fish, throw hawk, and participate in Mountain Man Rendezvous. Dennis was always ready for a game of cards, pitch, cribbage, hearts and basically any game where his victories brought out his infamous "rooster dance" of victory, well known among his family. As walking became harder for Dennis he started beading using Native American patterns and won many ribbons for his beautiful work at the Nebraska State Fair.

Dennis is survived by his son, Shane (Ann Ptacek), David City, Neb.; daughter, Heidi (Gary) Anderson; grandson, Ethan (Sydney Aase) Heermann, Sioux City, Iowa; granddaughter, Emily Heermann, David City, Neb.; brother, Jerry (Dorothy) Heermann, of Naper, Neb.; brothers-in-law, Winston Stahlecker, of Canyon City, Texas, Stanley Stahlecker, of O'Neill, Neb., and Rev. Greg (Gail) Stahlecker, of Salt Lake City, Utah, and Dave Ahlman, of Norfolk, Neb.; and many nephews and nieces all over the United States.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Lou Ann; mother and father, Alnard and Hilda Heermann; sisters, Linda and Charlene; brother-in-law, Harlan (Duke) Stahlecker; and sisters-in-law, Pam (Stanley), Kay (Winston), Karen (Winston), and Velda (Duke).

Celebration of Life service will be 2 p.m., Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Naper, Neb. Interment will follow in the Naper Lutheran Cemetery. "On to Rendezvous" Condolences: www.bmlfh.com.