Dennis Keith Vonwald

Dennis Keith VonWald, 85, a longtime resident of the Buxton community, passed away peacefully of Corona Virus on December 1, 2020 at the Kaiser Westside Medical Center in Hillsboro.
Dennis was born on February 19, 1935 in the city of Lead, close to Deadwood in the Black Hills of South Dakota, the fourth of Raymond and Sadie (Shaw) VonWald's five children. He was raised and educated in Lead and graduated from Lead High School with the Class of 1953. Throughout his life, he maintained Midwestern values, including his respect for people who were prepared to work hard. He valued the simple things in life most - family, friends and good food.
Dennis had a fundamental understanding that it is better to give than receive and lived his life largely in the service of others. This commitment to service began early when he enlisted into the US Army and served his country. He was honorably discharged and then followed his sisters out west to Oregon.
Dennis met his future wife, Ellen Hulse, through mutual friends. They soon began dating and, following a brief courtship, married on November 5, 1960 in Portland. Initially, they established their home in Portland, but in the mid 1960's moved to a hobby farm in Buxton.
Dennis started his working career as a mechanic after earning his qualifications at Dunwoody College in Minneapolis, Minnesota but soon answered an ad in

The Oregonian

seeking firefighters. Dennis took the job and started with Multnomah CO District 10. He later moved up the ranks and retired as Lieutenant with the City of Portland in 1988. In common with all firefighters who are tasked to run towards danger, he was courageous and kind. Among other things, early in his career, Dennis delivered a baby whose mother had gone into labor in her car on the way to the hospital. Two weeks later

,

his own first daughter was born.
Besides being a fire fighter, Dennis was also a farmer, raising cattle and hay. He loved wildlife and all animals and was known to bring home stray dogs, cats and on occasion, horses - much to the delight of his children and his wife's chagrin. He enjoyed all aspects of the country life, as well as following basketball and football - especially Oregon teams, but none more than the local Banks Braves.
Dennis was an excellent cook and wasn't afraid of the little domestic chores that come with raising a family. He and Ellen enjoyed traveling, especially to Australia, Alaska and weekends at their beach home in Longview.
With the help of friends, Dennis built the family home in Buxton and was always very active outside. He coupled that energy with an eager sense of humor, curiosity about others, political discussions and was a great reader. He would say, though, that his greatest accomplishments were his three children and his grandchildren.
Dennis was preceded in death by his loving wife, Ellen, who passed on July 8, 2012, his parents and siblings Betty Reed, Doris Simon and David VonWald.
He is survived by his sister, Patricia Dragowski, his three daughters and their husbands, Denise VonWald and Stephen Johns of Adelaide in Australia, Deanna and David Palm of Hillsboro, Darcey and Rob Edwards of Banks and five grandchildren - Chelsea, Zack, Rae Ellen, Sierrah and Wyatt.
You are invited to attend a celebration of his life Via Zoom on Saturday, January 9, 2011 @ 4:00 p.m.
Please register in advance for this event:

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