Dennis Eugene Levering, 82, of Salina, KS, was born June 16, 1942, to Donald and Juanita Levering. He fell asleep in the Lord's arms on October 26th, 2024.
Dennis was a devoted husband, father, and Papa. Many would know him as being a businessman, a jack-of-all-trades, compassionate, never knowing a stranger, and his readiness to serve others.
Dennis was raised and graduated in Burlington, KS, where he began work as a bank teller at the Burlington State Bank in 1960.
Dennis joined the Army National Guard in 1960 and was honorably discharged in 1969. During his time served he received a Kansas Nation Guard service medal (5 years service), and a Commendation award for his meritorious service rendered during the disastrous June 8th of 1966 tornados, by guarding the Kansas State Capital for 5 months.
Dennis was set up on a blind date with Connie Baker in 1964 by his sister Judy. It was love at "First Radish Thrown". Dennis's humor stood out at the first meal with Connie's mother and father. Ruby, Connie's mother, hit him right between the eyes with a radish after he made an ornery joke. Her father, Glen, said, "He is the one." as they drove away. Six months later they were wed at the Burlington, KS, Church of Christ, on September 26th, 1965.
They welcomed their son Jeffrey Levering in May of 1967. After 3 babies were born into heaven Dennis and Connie decided to pursue adoption. They received word their 4-day-old baby girl was ready to be brought home. Julie Levering was brought into their loving arms on October 30th, 1975.
From an early age, Dennis had a career in the Agriculture and the Cattle Industry. He began his career helping with his father's farm, hay business, and ranch. He worked his way up to his first assistant manager position at Black Jack Feeders in Yates Center, KS. Dennis held his 2nd assistant manager position for 5 years at Sublette Feeders in Sublette, KS. With Hard work, Dennis accepted a manager position at SBar Feeders in Garden City, KS. Dennis then partnered in the creation of the Billy Allen horse feed company. Dennis partnered in purchasing Cattle Resources Incorporated (CRI) Feeders in Guymon, OK in 1980, and managed it for 9 years. He also consulted on a Brazilian feed yard shortly after. Dennis's cattle work came to a culmination when he and his son Jeff, breathed life into a family-owned and operated Feedlot/Ranching business, DJ Feeders, in 1989, supported by his wife Connie and daughter Julie.
Dennis had a dream to be successful enough to own and pilot a private plane. He was able to achieve this dream in 1984 by receiving his private pilot's license. He purchased a 4-passenger plane and then a 6-passenger plane and received his IFR rating. He enjoyed about 3500 hours of flight time.
Dennis was diagnosed in 1990 with Myasthenia Gravis, a rare auto-immune disease. In light of his diagnosis, Dennis left his beloved business, and gave up his plans to pursue an Associate of Technology degree at K-State Salina, graduating in 1997. So began his love for K-State football.
In his later years, Dennis's compassion led him to careers of serving his church, community, and others. Dennis worked at St. Francis Ministries as a maintenance worker, transporting kids and supervising parent visits. He transported train crews for Union Pacific Railroad. He then worked as a security guard for Salina Regional Health Center.
Dennis suffered his first grand mal seizure leading to his diagnosis of TIA and Vascular Dementia. He persevered through the disease with love and acceptance.
Dennis had many memorable years adding time spent with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He taught many of them how to hunt, fish, play baseball, do immaculate yard work, work on vehicles, grow a garden, horseback riding, team roping, and enjoy old westerns.
Wisdom Dennis imparted to us includes "Everyone has something and this is mine" (regarding hard times), "It's always good to invest in people", and "grace is for everyone, that was a hard lesson."
He was preceded in death by his 3 Levering angel babies, grandchild Baby D. Bolay, father Don Levering, mother Juanita Levering (Gooch), brothers Richard and Daniel Levering.
Left to celebrate his life are his wife Connie Levering (Baker), son Jeff Levering, daughter and son-in-law Julie (Levering) and Nick Clayson; grandchildren Jasmine (Clayson) and Kyle Bolay, Cameron Manaugh (Levering), Bailee Levering, Cody Levering, Cooper Levering, Neena Clayson, Nicholas Clayson; Great-Grandchildren Madison Manaugh, Caylee Manaugh, Esther Bolay, Ana Bolay, Louis Bolay, baby Vera Bolay, and an abundance of other family and friends.
Visitation will be 4-8 p.m. Wednesday, October 30, at Ryan Mortuary. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 31, at Church of Christ, 1646 N 9th Street, Salina.
Memorials may be made to Silver Maple Camp, in care of Ryan Mortuary.