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Dennis Leece Obituary
Dennis W. Leece, 52, Town of Rome, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 23, 2013 at St. Mary's Hospital in Rochester, MN. Dennis won his battle with esophageal cancer but died from complications following his surgery.
A memorial service will be at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, August 29th at Grace Lutheran Church, 1531 Whitrock Avenue, Wisconsin Rapids. Rev. Kent Raddatz will officiate. Visitation will be held on Wednesday, August 28th from 5pm -7pm and from 10:00 am until the time of services on Thursday, all at the church.
Dennis was born in Wisconsin Rapids on March 14, 1961 to Wally and Lois (Slattery) Leece. He married Terri Bodway on April 9, 1994.
Dennis attended Washington School and graduated from Lincoln High School. He served four years in the United States Navy from 1979-1982.
Dennis worked for Schierl Tire, Greeneway Campers, and was presently employed by McCain Foods.
Dennis has touched so many lives with his infectious smile, great sense of humor and passion for life. He loved spending time with his family and friends. Music was his biggest passion. He was a gifted acoustic guitar player and had a beautiful voice. He was a member of Grace Out Loud, a praise band at Grace Lutheran Church where he was a member.
He loved sports and enjoyed watching the Milwaukee Brewers and Green Bay Packers play. He loved spending time on the computer and helped anyone who had computer issues. Dennis also enjoyed spending time on his pontoon boat with family and friends. He will be greatly missed by all.
Survivors include his wife, Terri of 19 blessed years; parents: Wally and Lois Leece, Wisconsin Rapids; sisters: Patti (Jim) Lloyd, Wisconsin Rapids; Jackie (Andy) Buchanan, Bartlett, TN; brother: Dan Leece, Wisconsin Rapids; maternal grandmother: Eleanor Slattery, Wisconsin Rapids; mother-in-law: Dolores Bodway, Appleton; father-in-law: Robert Bodway, Menasha; sisters-in-law: Judy (Jeff) Collette, Menasha; Becky Schoon, Appleton; and Pam (Randy) Mueller, Neenah brothers-in-law: Dave (JoAnn) Bodway, Peoria, AZ; Mike (Wendy) Bodway, Menasha; Bruce (Vicki) Bodway, New London; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews, whom he adored. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William Slattery and Leo and Carol Leece.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hope Lodge which is funded through the American Cancer Society where Dennis and Terri stayed during Dennis's treatment for his cancer.
Herman-Taylor Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Wisconsin Rapids is assisting the family.
The family would like to thank all the doctors, nurses and staff at Mayo Clinic, Methodist Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital for the excellent care they gave Dennis during his treatment and following his surgery. They would also like to thank everyone who supported them through this difficult journey.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Leece
August 29, 2013
There are lot's of memories I have of you all! so sorry of your loss of good Son and Faithful person w/amazing heart just like Dan and Jackie too!!
sincerely Wendy Swonger,Olson
Gala Beckendorf
August 28, 2013
Dear Terri...thinking of you so much since we left hospital last Friday. Hoping you got through today okay, and that tomorrow is a major step towards healing. It's been a therapeutic two days for us, so I hope you feel the same at this time tomorrow nite. We made a real attempt to stay light hearted and upbeat, and it really helped the mood. We even made it thru the last paragraph of the eulogy talking about our joy for dad reuniting with our sister Vicki! We had divine intervention too...mom & dad's pastor is gone, she lined up someone to do service that we'd never met, we asked Vicki's pastor who we absolutely love and he said YES. He was a friend of dad's thru community activities, & spent much time with him thru Vicki's cancer journey. He did amazing job, comparing love for a child to God's love for us. It was a perfect analogy for a man who lost a child and have never gotten over it! We were blessed to be able to share our experiences with someone like you going thru the same. Your love and devotion to Dennis were so inspiring. Praying for the right words for you and Dennis's family....Floyd's daughter Gala
Joan Kaul
August 28, 2013
Terri, I know how hard these past months have been and wish you comfort and peace now, surrounded by family and friends. With sincerest sympathy.
August 28, 2013
Keeping you and your family in my prayers Terri. I considered Dennis a good friend and enjoyed sharing with him. He is home with his Savior.May the Lord heal your pain.
Gary Sabo
Jen Kubisiak
August 28, 2013
Ours is not to question or understand the mystery of life, the whys and the hows of our time spent on this Earth. But to just be grateful for those we love and those who love us. Because in the end, love is all that matters. ?
My deepest sympathy to my friend Patti, Wally and Lois, the Leece family, Terri and all who loved him. May you take comfort in recalling your cherished memories in the difficult days ahead. My thoughts are with you.
August 28, 2013
Dan we are so sorry to hear of your loss. May you find comfort in all that surround you.
Rick and Mary Merdan
August 28, 2013
His warmth, his music, and his voice will be sorely missed here on earth but the heavenly choir just got a bit sweeter. Our prayers go out to Terri and the family for their great loss.
Linda Miller-Whitley
August 28, 2013
I did not have the privilege of knowing Dennis during his adult years but I do remember him from our high school years. He was always a genuinely nice guy. We graduated together. My deepest sympathy to all of his family and friends. May God guide you through this terribly painful time Terri and family.
Sherrie Hahn
August 28, 2013
Dennis would always have a smile and nod whenever I'd see him. Keep that smile in your heart.
Rae Ann Nelson
August 28, 2013
I am sorry for your loss. I went to school with Dennis and thought of him as a good friend. I think of those times often, sitting around a campfire and singing songs while he played his guitar, peanut at speak-easy, and being around a great group of people. Will miss him greatly and will still think of him often. My prayers will be with all of you.
August 28, 2013
To the family of Dennis - May God comfort you at this difficult time.
August 28, 2013
I am the sister of Rick Brock. Sorry for your loss. Rick kept me informed of Dennis and shared the Caring Bridge site of him. I knew Dennis when he hung around my brother in school. May God be with you all now and forever. Rosanne Brock Kruse
Linda Sandberg
August 28, 2013
Terri & family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you in the days and hours ahead. We got to know Dennis through you and he sounded like an amazing person. Your love for him was so apparent. Wishing you love and peace as Dennis joins his maker in his heavenly home. We hope he and my dad (Floyd Olson) will meet and discuss the coincidence of their journey. We were blessed that God brought you into our lives during our time of crisis at Rochester. You taught us so much and we are eternally grateful!
Sheri Mohler
August 27, 2013
Condolences to Dennis family. I am a coworker. Dennis' smile and positive attitude will be missed.
August 27, 2013
Lois and family, our deepest sympathy,your in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve, Teresa Belter
Jim Churchill
August 27, 2013
I went to high school with Dennis. My condolences to the family. He will be missed.
August 27, 2013
Jim and Patti,
I am so sorry to hear of the loss of your brother. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Debbie Passineau
August 27, 2013
Terry sorry for your lose. Dick and I will keep you in our prayers. May God help you through this difficult time. All our love.Dick & Joyce
Cheryl Laska
August 27, 2013
Terri, my sincerest, deepest sympathy goes out to you Terri, Dennis was one of the greatest persons I have met. He will always be walking alongside taking care of you. He loved you as much as he loved life itself,always carry that with you. May god be with you.
Paul Eswein
August 27, 2013
So sorry to hear this news. Dennis was a great guy and a wonderful musician as well. Thoughts are with his family. RIP Dennis.
Bob & Penny Cleworth
August 27, 2013
We are so sorry for your loss. Know that you are in our prayers.
August 27, 2013
Wally and Lois, our sympathies in the passing of your son. Tom and Donna Bohn
Jim and Nancy Larson
August 27, 2013
We ars so sorry to hear about Dennis. I was happy to call him a friend. He always took care of my car and keep me on the road. We will miss him.
Jim Nad Nancy Larson
Arlene Davis
August 27, 2013
Thinking of you all at this sad time. RIP Dennis
August 27, 2013
Patti and family , so sorry about your loss our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family Mona ( Eder )Main
Shelley Lussmyer
August 27, 2013
Dear Terri, I am so sorry to hear of Dennis's passing! I worked with him at Walmart, and he was one of the nicest, most caring people I ever knew. He always would come in the store and talk to me when he came through my line. I didn't even know he was ill. Please know I am thinking of you at this time. I know how happy he was when he met you, and he talked about you all the time!
Bea and Steve Havel
August 27, 2013
Wally, Lois, Terri and Family,
You have our deepest sympathy on your loss.
August 27, 2013
Terri, So sorry for your loss. Dennis was a great guy. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Wes and Julie Cox
August 27, 2013
Terri, So sorry to hear of your loss. Dennis was a great guy with a great smile and friendly personality. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Wes and Julie Cox
Cheryl Gazeley
August 27, 2013
Lois, Wally, Patti, Jackie & Dan. I was so sad to hear about Dennis. My thoughts are with you and the whole family!
August 27, 2013
Wally and Lois,our thoughts are with you through this time of loss.
Roger and Joan Spice
Wayne & Jennifer Cummings
August 27, 2013
Terri- it's been a long time since our days at Two Lakes but I still think of you and wanted to let you know how sorry Jennifer and I are for you losing Dennis. Our most sincere sympathy comes your way.
August 27, 2013
The void that is felt in our hearts with the loss of our son is unbearable. Keep your faith, Terri, God will help us through this terrible time. Love, Mom & Dad
Jean Haag
August 27, 2013
Terri, I hope all of your happy memories help to get you through this sad time. Dennis was a awesome guy that will never be forgotten!
Love,
Dick and Jean
Shelly Smith
August 27, 2013
Terri and family, Dennis will be missed by many he touched my life and I will be forever grateful.
August 27, 2013
I am so sorry for you loss spent many a nights singing Neil Young's "Old man take a look at yourself I am a lot like you" will miss you Dennis.
Bronwyn Dilley fellow cancer survivor
stacey
August 26, 2013
So sorry for you loss Terri. Dennis was a great guy and has left a lot of wonderful memories with people that loved him.
R.I.P.
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Herman-Taylor Funeral Home - Wisconsin Rapids2201 Chestnut Street, Wisconsin Rapids, WI 54494
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