Dennis Birst
May 9, 1947 ~ September 5, 2020
Dennis Lee Birst used the last of his nine lives and passed away on Saturday, September 5, 2020 in Fargo, ND. He had polycystic kidney disease and was on dialysis for four years before receiving a kidney from a living donor; he beat cancer and managed his diabetes. He was 73 years old and died peacefully at home, surrounded by his family.
Dennis was born on May 9, 1947 in Minot, ND to Adam and Johanna (Heth) Birst and was the youngest of four children. On June 5, 1971, he married Maxine Mae Miller and they raised three daughters, April, Courtney, and Kirsten, and one son, Michael. A farmer most of his life, he also lived in Maryland for 16 years when his wife was employed by the Department of Defense. In 2014, Dennis and his wife retired to Fargo, ND. Dennis loved attending auction sales, playing pinochle with friends, gardening, and animals, especially dogs. Dennis and his wife often traveled with close friends and he never saw a yard or auction sale he could pass up. Dennis is preceded in death by his parents.
He is survived by his wife, children, three granddaughters, Makayla, Ashlynn, and Eva, his siblings, Carol, Curtis, and Roland, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Dennis never said good-bye, he would always say “Catch you down the Road”.
A memorial service will be held in the spring in Turtle Lake, ND. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the PKD Foundation or Hospice of the Red River Valley.
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So sorry for your loss of Dennis. I was thinking this morning about when you came to Vegas and Galen and I met you and we had such a good time together. Galen and Dennis can be visiting in a better place now without worrying about pain, etc. I’m keeping you, Maxine and family in my prayers during this difficult time. Stay safe and strong!
Oh uncle Dennis how we’re going to miss you !!! Where oh where am I going to find another buffalo😳……. what an amazing uncle you have been with your words and wisdom you have taught us so much… I know the Lord has a place for you in heaven because Mr. fix-it is there now Rest In Peace And when you see my dad Everett walk up to him and ask him about his old Ford PS it’s not for sale Nile bought it LOL we’re gonna miss you love you with all our love Wiener and Ruthie🌻🌻🌻
I would like to send you an the family our thoughts an prayers at this time, we live so close and then I find out we our only 90 miles from each other,God Bless his memory!
Our thoughts and Prayers are with you and your family, Max!!
What a nice picture of Dennis. So sorry for what your family is going through right now. I pray that God will help all of you adjust to a life without Dennis -full of memories of him and knowIng that he now is living with God who will take care of him in a way we couldn’t here on earth. May God be with you during this time
Thinking of you all during this tough time.
I’ve missed Dennis ever since you moved back to ND. I loved going Storage Unit rummaging with him and have numerous, great memories. There was the time he found rolls of Presidential dollars in a unit and he strutted around like a Peacock telling everyone of his fantastic find. One day we found golf clubs and I said I would buy them; then Big Mike offered him $10 for the same clubs and he took the deal until I balked; so I got the Calloways for $10. Then one day he called Robbie and I to help him load a wooden bear made from a huge tree trunk (it must have weighed 800 pounds) I thought we (three 65 year olds) would die trying to get it out of a lady’s house. I used to caution Dennis: What if there’s a body in that freezer; look at all those bugs; why do people store dirty clothes in storage units; how are we going to lift that! Then there was the time that…. I could fill a book with all the stories. He was a super and fun guy!
I remember all the good time we had: the parties, dinners, flea marketing and just chilling out; especially the Riverside Dinner Theater shows (remember when Dennis fell asleep during ‘The Sound of Music’, but not ‘Chicago’ or ‘Cabaret’)! I remember his practical jokes like leaving a concrete alligator in my garden (it actually made me jump). And I always have the picture of Kramer staring at me when I pull into our garage. I can now see him bartering with St. Peter for a better cloud. Miss you, Dennis!
Maxine, you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
Maxine and family,
I am so very sorry for the loss of Dennis. I will keep you in my prayers. I understand his sentiment to never say good-bye. Military families never say good-bye either. Until you meet again; may god bless you all.
Sending our thoughts and prayers To the family
My prayers and heartfelt condolences are with you and your family. Dennis was such a wonderful man. May all your beautiful memories sustain in the days ahead.
Sorry to hear about Dennis, he was one kind and considerate guy. He was also a lot of fun. He will be missed.
The neighborhood will not be the same without Dennis always checking on all of us. He was always so fun to talk to about anything and everything. I never could figure out how he always had so much energy. Maxine, we are here for you so wheneveryou need anything, please call.
Maxine and family; my deepest condolences for your loss. These are the toughest times to endure , and I know on my heart of hearts Heaven is the best place for your departed; with Christ Our Lord.
Apologies for not keeping in touch.
Maxine, Pleasure serving with you at Pax River.
I just found out about the passing of Dennis today. I’m so very sorry for your loss. Dennis sold me many of his auction finds for me to repurpose and sell in his store. I enjoyed our visits greatly and always loved running into him at auctions. He would always call me “ Easy Money” and it made me laugh. The last time I saw him he had swung by my store to ask about our foster daughter. I know he would have been thrilled to learn we got to adopt her in November.
I just wanted the family to know that I really enjoyed my friendship with Dennis and will miss our little chats. He had a big heart and was always so kind to me.
Maria Bosak
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