Dennis "Denny" R. Lewis

Dennis (Denny) R. Lewis, age 65, passed away Monday, October 9, 2023, at his home in Kearney, NE. Funeral services will be held at St. James Catholic Church in Kearney, NE, on Monday, October 16th at 10:30 a.m. Father Paul Colling will officiate, and burial will be at the Kearney Cemetery directly following the service. Visitation with the family present will be held Sunday, October 15th, at St James Catholic Church from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. Memorials will be designated at a later date. Dennis R. Lewis was born on December 30, 1957, in Kearney, NE, to Edward (Bud) and Darlene (Hoffman) Lewis. He grew up in Kearney and graduated from Kearney High School in 1976. He attended and graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Kearney State College, where he was a stand-out pitcher for the college baseball team, still holding multiple program records. Dennis married (Mary) Michaela Curry on June 21, 1980, in Norfolk, NE. They have two children, Darbi (Lewis) Roeder and Rob Lewis. After college graduation, Dennis followed his father, Bud, in a career in law enforcement, where he started as a jailer and was promoted to deputy sheriff for the Buffalo County Sheriff’s Office from 1980 – 1988. He moved to the Kearney Police Department in 1988 and rose through the ranks throughout his career. After 30 years with KPD, he retired as a Lieutenant in 2018. Dennis's family, especially his children and grandchildren, were the most important part of his life. He lived life to the fullest and had many interests and hobbies. After retirement, he enjoyed making wine, naming the wine after family members, and giving them as gifts. He led a very active life. On any given day you could find him at the golf course, playing disc golf, riding his bike, or boating at Cottonmill Lake. His favorite retirement activity was playing pickleball. He was immediately hooked and loved playing competitive games and developing relationships with his pickleball family. Surviving relatives include his spouse, Michaela; daughter, Darbi (Brady) Roeder; son, Rob (Brittney) all of Kearney and brother, Edward (Judy) of Lincoln, NE; Grandchildren, Charley and Benni Roeder, Hayleigh, Owen, and Adelynn Lewis, all of Kearney. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Edward (Bud) and Darlene Lewis; sisters, Debra (Lewis) Happold and Darla (Lewis) Stromberg; in-laws, Bob and Betty Curry of Norfolk, NE and granddaughter, Harlee Lewis.

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Dennis "Denny" R. Lewis

December 30, 1957 - October 9, 2023