Dennis Ouellette, Clay Center
Dennis Lee Ouellette was a caring husband, father, grandfather, and servant of God. He left this world on May 4, 2022, surrounded by family.
On April 19, 1949, Dennis was born in Concordia, KS, to Henry and Albertine (Kegle) Ouellette. He lived with his family in Clyde, KS, where he would frequently cross paths with his future wife, Kathleen Hamel.
After graduating from Clyde High School in 1967, Dennis served his country by enlisting in the Army with the 101st Airborne Infantry and was deployed for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Throughout his tour, Dennis wrote to Kathleen, and they started dating upon his return to Ft. Riley, KS, during the completion of his military service.
Dennis and Kathleen were married on May 20th, 1972, at St. John the Baptist Church in Clyde, KS and started their family together shortly after in Clay Center, KS, their forever community.
After his honorable discharge from the Army, he continued his service to the country in the National Guard. Dennis began a 33-year-long career with the postal services as a postal carrier, postal clerk, and supervisor at the Clay Center Post Office and promoted to postmaster at Beloit, KS, retiring in April 2004.
Dennis was a servant of both faith and community. He was an active and committed parishioner of St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church by serving as a maintenance supervisor, participating on the parish council, and a member of the Knights of Columbus. In the community, Dennis fulfilled a position on the city council beginning in 2011 and served on the Administrative Committee and chairman of the Parks and Recreation Committee. Through his civic service, he participated in the formation of many projects to improve the quality of life of the community he humbly served.
In essence, Dennis represented his faith, principles, and compassion through selfless acts, whether through community roles or simply sending thoughtful birthday cards. He was happiest when he was of service to others and rarely withheld his assistance where needed. His jovial spirit deterred discouragement, and his virtues were a guiding light for his family.
Dennis had many accomplishments in his lifetime, but his children, grandchildren, and nearly 50 years of marriage mattered most to him. His family deeply loved him, and they will forever remember his legacy of decency, devotion, and servanthood.
He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Donald Ouellette.
He is survived by his wife Kathleen (Hamel), and their three children: Aaron and wife Lisa (Pfizenmaier) Ouellette, Janae and husband Jason Wollenberg, and David Ouellette; seven grandchildren: Mason, Adam, Caleb, Anna, Emmaline, Ava, and Alyia. He is also survived by his brother Francis and wife Pauline (Hamel) Ouellette of San Jose, CA, and sister Rosalie and husband Nick Lichter of Havensville, KS.
Visitation for Dennis Ouellette will be held on Tuesday, May 10, 2022, from 4-7p.m. with rosary following at 7:00, at Neill-Schwensen-Rook Funeral Home in Clay Center, KS.
Services will be Wednesday, May 11 at 10:30 a.m. at SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Clay Center, KS.
Burial will follow at 2:00 p.m. at the Mt. Calvary Cemetery, Clyde, KS.
Memorials can be made to SS Peter and Paul Catholic Church to be designated later or to the City of Clay Center to be used for Reed’s Park Improvements c/o the funeral home.