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IRON MOUNTAIN -- This obituary is being written with love about my husband of over 51 years, Dennis Van Marter, who went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, July 19, 2026.
How can someone say goodbye to a person they love so much? It is very easy because he is in Heaven, where there is such love that cannot be compared. He is comfortable and in no pain at all. With God all things are possible.
We started dating and turned 18 together. On our first date we went to church and then went bird hunting. Guess who got to carry the birds? Dennis was a fantastic baseball pitcher and was being viewed by scouts for the big league. Instead he married me. He said he was glad with his choice. He worked at Grede Foundries for over 43 years, where he did shell core and was very good with what he did. They wanted him to be a foreman but he said no.
We had first our daughter, Jennifer, and then 21 months later our son, Chad. Dennis was a great dad. Over time we were blessed with three grandsons, Ethan, Cole and Aidan. He was very proud of them.
Dennis put up a lot of buildings, gates and sheds and always remarked that "everything looked better the farther you went back" as he was learning. He stayed busy at rodeos and horse shows. Both kids rode and were in 4-H. After hitting the ground, Dennis preferred being on solid ground but would still go riding even though it wasn't his thing! Dennis was always watching out for the underdog and if anyone needed help he would be there. Many times we would stop and he'd help a motorist in need. We only had one time where a man yelled "Did I ask you for help?" Dennis calmly said OK and walked away.
He spent many days working, hunting and fishing. I would often ask him not to get any big fish, as we had enough fish mounts! Dennis could shoot a target with his gun or bow with such precision it was beyond me. We had many fish fries and our children learned a lot about camping. Our daughter was four months old when she first went camping. Both kids are great at driving and have CDLs, luckily from dad showing them how to drive and mom staying away.
Dennis had compassion for others and always took pride in everything he did. Even though I'd tell him please change your favorite old T-shirts or flannels he'd wear them one more day. Life was good, God was watching over us.
More recently, he would go through cycles of health issues that arose and abated. He never complained while he was in and out of appointments at the hospital. Many thanks to DICSA and their thoughtful drivers. Dennis had a short stay in Marshfield Medical Center-Dickinson Hospital on the second floor, where everyone there took good care of him. After that stay he returned home under the care of Marshfield Home Health and began to drive again and move about. Unfortunately, after a turn for the worse he spent a few days in the ICU and from there into the arms of God. I was glad to have some family, friends and neighbors come to his hospital bed to celebrate with Dennis, having prayer and beautiful music playing as he made his journey home to his final resting place where he joined other loved ones and his kitty, Tiger, where he awaits to see us all again.
Dennis and I were deeply touched by the kindness of people we barely knew. They helped with our lawn, put up guard rails, prayed with Dennis, and checked each day to see what we needed. Words cannot express our thanks to them, to Dennis' heart doctor, primary doctor, urologist from Marshfield, the Marshfield Home Health RNs and therapists, and the OSF Home Health team and pulmonary doctor. Dennis appreciated that they never rushed him and cared for him with such patience and compassion.
Dennis tried so hard. He talked about smoking fish in his smoker, and our son kept him supplied with fish. He did not want to give up, but as much as he wanted to stay, God wanted him more. In his final days in the ICU, he received excellent care from a team that worked together, explained everything, and kept him comfortable. After more than 25 years in healthcare myself, I can say they did everything right. Dennis is now with God, through whom all things are possible. With all my love, your wife, Susy, and kitty, Cricket.
Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Aug. 10, at the Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, 1210 S. Kimberly Ave., with Rev. Dr. Nicholas Hopman officiating the funeral service at 11 a.m.
Condolences may be expressed to the family of Dennis R. Van Marter online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the arrangements.