Dennis D. Freymiller, age 73, of Fennimore, passed away on Monday, December 7, 2020, at Gundersen Boscobel Area Hospital. He was born on July 22,1947, the son of Myron “Mike” and Arlene (Zifka) Freymiller. Dennis was united in marriage to Trudie Brechler on June 20, 1970, at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Fennimore.
Dennis graduated from Fennimore High School in 1965. He attended UW-Platteville where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dairy Science in 1969. He then pursued his master degree at UW-Madison. Dennis and Trudie farmed for 31 years in Hickory Grove Township. He served on several boards while farming; Grant County Dairy Herd Improvement Association, Grant County Holstein Association, and Grant County Pork Association. They sold the family farm in 2001 and moved to town where he tutored, volunteered and was a substitute teacher at Fennimore Elementary School. He loved working with students of all ages and sharing his love of math. His goal everyday at school was to make sure he talked to each student about their day or what they were doing at home. He always made sure to leave them with a smile on their face. In 2008, he received the Southwest Wisconsin Education Association Friend of Education Award in appreciation for his unending dedication and tireless enthusiasm for public education. He also enjoyed having a garden in town and talking to people as they walked by, often giving them vegetables. He enjoyed playing cards at the hunting cabin, at the bowling alley and with family and friends. He was an avid fisherman and loved hunting. Dennis loved sports and followed his grandchildren, Badgers, and Packers faithfully.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 50 years, Trudie of Fennimore; two children, Darci (Sean) Rice of Elgin, Minnesota and Michael (Kimberly) Freymiller of Fennimore; three grandchildren, Noah and Taylor Rice and Brennen Freymiller, mother-in-law Marianne Zarek of Naples FL, sister Vicki (Gary) Northouse of Fennimore, sister-in-laws; Sarah (Dennis) Lendosky of Fennimore, Marci (Ken) Nichols of Wisconsin Dells, brother-in-laws; Daniel Davies of Fennimore and Gary (Mary Lou) Olson of Merrillan and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Sandra Davies and Candice Olson; father-in-laws Robert Brechler and Eugene Zarek.
A private funeral service for the family will be held at The Larson Family Funeral Home in Fennimore at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday December 12, 2020 with a public graveside service at 12:00 noon at the German Ideal Cemetery in Hickory Grove Township. Cards of sympathy and memorials may be sent to the funeral home at 925 10th St. Fennimore, WI 53809. In lieu of plants and flowers, a scholarship fund will be established in loving memory of Dennis.
The family is so thankful for the transplant team at UW Madison Hospital where Dennis received a liver transplant in 2008 and the wonderful caregivers who helped him at Divine Nursing Home and Gundersen Boscobel Hospital.