Dennis Barry Rand

1949 - 2015

Dennis Barry Rand, 66, was born on Dec. 18, 1949, in Cedar Falls, to parents John Rand Jr. and Helen Marie Sells. He was raised on a farm near New Hartford, where he also attended school. Dennis was involved in sports, lettering in track and football. He loved to drive his white 1957 Chevy around town and hang out with his friends. On Oct. 14, 1967, he married Nancy Jo Lalan and they made their home in Dike. During their marriage they also lived in Cedar Falls, Janesville, and Waverly, later retiring in Greeley, Colo., in June, 2015. Just four months after their move, Dennis stepped into the Entrance of Heaven on Nov. 24, 2015, as a result of fighting a rare form of cancer for 13 long years.
Dennis and Nancy have three daughters; Kimberly (Denton) Norris, of Cedar Falls, Rachelle (Rob) Bradley, of Allison, and Hollie (George/Skip) Bean, of Johnstown, Colo. They also have 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Dennis has three siblings; John/Randy (Becky) Rand, of Rudd, Laurie (Dwight) Hilton, of New Hartford, and Justin/Jed (Loreen) Rand, of Cedar Falls.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Rand, and one grandson, Izak Weston Bean.
Dennis was a strong, hard-working man, and worked at Marquart Block in Waterloo, for over 30 years. He was gifted with many talents, woodworking and gardening were just a few. He made crosses, wooden pictures from lathes, rocking horses, rocking chairs, bird houses and much more that he graciously gave away to friends and family. His gardening and landscaping talents were a work of art only directed by the hand of God Himself. Along with those talents, he also had a gift for remodeling their homes. Dennis was happy as long as he had a piece of wood and a hammer in his hand!
Dennis was a man who loved his children and grandchildren. He also was a role model for some of their friends who loved to hang out with him. He never wanted the spotlight, and he never admitted his talents were greater than average.
He attended the Vineyard Church in Waverly and helped with the remodeling of their first building. He was actively involved in the church and helped out wherever he could. Dennis later attended the Riverwood Church in Waverly until the move to Colorado. Once in Colorado, he attended the Victory Christian Fellowship Church on a regular basis. It didn't take long for him to develop new friends in Christ.
Memorials may be directed to Cedar Valley Hospice or Hospice of Northern Colorado. Hospice was a key organization in his care this past year of his life. A celebration of life service will be held on Dec. 12, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the Vineyard Church, 319 W. Bremer Ave., Waverly.