Dennis Earl Kanz, 80, of Sheboygan, went home to be in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, while peacefully surrounded by his family in his home on Sunday, August 17, 2025, after 6 ½ years of his cancer journey.
Dennis was born on December 2, 1944, in Shawano, WI to the late Alden and Harriet (Barteck) Kanz. He attended Oostburg High School before going on to proudly serve his country in the US Navy from 1963-1965 aboard the USS Guadalcanal. On September 24, 1965, he was united in marriage to Nedra Buteyn at First Christian Reformed Church in Oostburg. Dennis worked for the Kohler Company for 46 years until his retirement in 2010.
The love of Dennis’ life was Nedra, his high school sweetheart and partner for 60 blessed years. With her by his side, Dennis was a faithful servant of the Lord and an incredible witness and representative of Jesus Christ, even as he lovingly served his family, church, and community. Dennis was a church deacon, boys’ Cadet leader, volunteer with Salvation Army, and was recruited in his retirement to mow and trim grass for Sheboygan Christian School. During the last several years, Dennis and Nedra greatly enjoyed membership and the love and fellowship of their church family at Bethel Orthodox Presbyterian Church in Oostburg.
Dennis shared his great love for going to the cabin up north and deer hunting with anyone who loved listening to his many stories. He had a very quick wit, loved his puns, and made us all laugh with his “Kanz jokes.” Dennis especially enjoyed the camaraderie of deer hunting with his sons, brothers, and special friends. Card playing, watching Packer games, and Canadian fishing trips with dear friends filled Dennis with joyful memories. Friends and family knew Dennis was always ready for a game of cribbage – even playing in and hosting tournaments, as well as the daily Yahtzee tournament he shared with Nedra.
In the past year, Dennis especially enjoyed watching his grandson shoot his first buck, one last deer hunt with his boys, celebrating his 80th birthday, and attending the first wedding of a grandchild. He was also very proud and grateful to go on the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight on April 26, 2025.
Our beloved Padgie will always be remembered for his kindness and love, strength and humor, humility and selflessness, and his innate ability to make everyone’s life better, just by his presence. He made friends with the youngest to the oldest wherever he went and was adored by so many because he was so loving. We sure loved him!
Dennis is survived by his wife, Nedra; sons, Michael (Janelle) Kanz of Sheboygan Falls and Jeff (Marissa) Kanz of Tampa, Florida; grandchildren, Dennis, Larissa, Samuel, Ian, Shawn (Athena), Matthew, and Raegan. He is further survived by his brothers, Kenneth (Ruth) Kanz and Harold (Helen) Kanz; sisters, Barbara (Gary) Genske and Cheryl (Paul) Stranberg; sisters-in-law, Carol Kanz, Helen Buteyn, Alvina DeBoer, Marcia (Don) Modahl, Jean Kappers, and Shirley Hilbelink; brother-in-law, Jack (Jean) Kohls; many nieces and nephews, and other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, parents in-law Cornelius (Agnes) and Emmeline Buteyn, sister Darlene Kohls, brothers John Kanz and Darwin (Elvira) Kanz, brothers-in-law Neal Buteyn and Larry Kappers, and sisters-in-law June (Bill) DeBoer, Ruth (Ron) Ramaker, and Fran TeRonde.
A memorial service will be held for Dennis at Bethel Church in Oostburg on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 12:00pm. Relatives and friends may greet the family at church from 10:00am until the time of service.
Memorials are appreciated in Dennis’ name to Breakwater Church in Sheboygan or the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight.
The Kanz family wishes to extend a special thank you to the pastors of Bethel and Breakwater churches, as well as the doctors and nursing staff at Vince Lombardi Cancer Clinic and Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice for their kindness, compassion, and loving care.
Wenig Funeral Home in Oostburg is honored to assist the family. Please visit wenigfh.com for more information and online condolences.
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