Dennis Kanwischer

Dennis’ vigil service will be livestreamed below at 5:30, Thursday, November 21, 2024

Dennis’ Memorial Mass will be livestreamed below at 2:00 pm, Friday, November 22,2024

Dennis LaVerne Kanwischer, 87, West Fargo, ND (formerly of Fessenden, ND) passed peacefully November 18, 2024 surrounded by family at Bethany Retirement Center.

Dennis was born on July 7, 1937 in Maddock, ND to Clarence and Bernice (Krahler) Kanwischer, the oldest of eight children. He attended school at Hamburg, ND and graduated from Fessenden High School in 1957 and was crowned the first Homecoming King. Dennis excelled in athletics, football, basketball, and track.

He attended NDSCS to become an electrician. Dennis attained his masters license and started his own electrical business, Kanwischer Electric, which he ran for 60+ years. Dennis loved his electrical profession and especially cherished his customers. He retired in December 2023.

Dennis was an active member of St. Augustine Catholic Church for 64+ years and was a 4th degree Knights of Columbus. He was the building chairman of the St. Augustine Catholic Church and parsonage and served on the Fessenden Park Board.

Dennis was a member of the Harvey Eagles Club for 60+ years as well.

Frying burgers at the front of the church stand with his brother-in-law, Petsie Miller, was the highlight of the fair while enjoying a cold beer or two…

Dennis loved hunting, especially with his family. In the early years, deer season was the highlight with all the grandkids loaded in the vehicle eating grandpa’s Halloween candy, summer sausage sandwiches, chips and pop. Ending the hunt was the much-anticipated family tradition of butchering and making deer sausage.

Some of the treasured family memories of Dennis are of him gardening, reading, and feeding the birds year-round while thinning the squirrel population.

The lake was Dennis’ retreat where he enjoyed fishing and “putzing around” from the days of the old cabin through the new cabin that he built.

Always the handyman for Janice’s projects, he could fix just about anything. He collected toy tractors and decanters.

Along with Dennis’ many talents he was a wonderful dancer, everyone wanted to waltz with him.

He married his high school sweetheart, Janice Miller, August 20, 1960 at St Augustine’s Catholic Church. They celebrated their 64th anniversary this past August.

His family came first, and truly enjoyed his kids, grandkids and great grandkids.

Dennis is survived by his wife, daughter, Denise (Wayne) Sargent of Fargo and son, Marvin (Kathy) of West Fargo; and grandchildren, Tyler (Amanda) Sargent, Tessa (Eric) Gillson, Katrina (Eric) Jagim, Kelsey Kanwischer, and Kylie Kanwischer.

He has 7 great-grandchildren: Kendra, Alizabeth, Mackenzie, Zayne, Owen, Brock, Ella, and Ethan.

Dennis’ siblings are Gerald (Ruth) Kanwischer, Bill Kanwischer, Judy (Dale) Degenstein, Allen (Christi) Kanwischer, Dan (Nancy) Kanwischer, sister-in-law Nan Kanwischer, brother-in-law Keven Durrant, and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Duaine Kanwischer, sister Cindy Durrant, sister-in-law Delores Kanwischer, and special angel great-grandson, Owen Jagim.

In lieu of flowers, the family desires a memorial gift to the Fessenden Park Board or the Fessenden Hillside Cemetery.