Stork, Dennis Harold-October 4, 2010
Dennis Harold STORK, age 61, of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, passed away on Monday, October 4, 2010, at his home.
Dennis was born on August 16, 1949 at home in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin, the son of Harold Albert Otto and Shirley Lorraine (Smith) Stork. Dennis was dairy farmer of Jersey Cows and milk goats, but on the farm he called Mustang Manor he had a wide variety of other animals. He promoted the BLM’s Wild Mustang Program, and also was involved with the round ups. Dennis was a member of the Jefferson Draft Horse Association.
Surviving are: Mother: Shirley Stork, Fort Atkinson, WI, Life Partner: Ron Rew, Siblings: Gerald Kenneth (Mildred) Stork, Joyce Elaine (Ronald) Tesch, DuWayne Dale (Virginia) Stork, Janice Ione (Donald) Foerster, Harlow Gene (Betty) Stork, and Joan Marie (Russell) Bykowski. He is further survived by sixteen nieces and nephews and twenty-seven great-nieces and nephews.
Dennis was preceded in death by his Dad and special friend, Ernie Zimmerman.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, October 8, 2010, at 11:00AM at the Nitardy Funeral Home Chapel, 208 N. Park Street, Cambridge Wisconsin. Burial will be in the Lake Ripley Cemetery, Town of Oakland, Wisconsin.
*Please note the different locations for each day*
Friends may call from 4-8PM on Thursday, October 7, 2010 at the Nitardy Funeral Home, 1008 Madison Ave. Fort Atkinson, WI and after 10AM on Friday at the Nitardy Funeral Home Cambridge until the services.
In lieu of flowers memorials may be given to HospiceCare Inc of Janesville, Wisconsin or to the Nieman-Pick Foundation.
October 6th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Stork family,
Our sympathies in the loss of one heck of a guy. He fit right into our Great Circus Parade family and we will miss him. Lots of good times and laughs were had with Dennis over th years at circus parades and at the museum in Baraboo. He will sorely be missed and if there ever is another circus parade we’ll miss him riding around on his horse in his American flag shirt bossing everybody – love it!!!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
October 6th, 2010 at 12:34 pm
We all have great memories and shared lots of laughs with that gruff guy (who actually scared the pants off our kids when they were younger). We all learned he was a sweetie on the inside and the kids learned to throw all that gruff back at him as they got older. Sorry for your loss, Shirley. You’ve proven to be a stronger woman than I am! God love ya! Lynda & Larry
October 6th, 2010 at 7:01 pm
Tom and I are both saddened by the loss of Dennis to his family, partner, and friends. He scared me too, kinda, the first time I met him, but I grew to love his humor and not so well-disguised warmth. He truly was “one of a kind” and we know he’ll be sorely missed.
October 6th, 2010 at 8:11 pm
I and my children, will never forget Dennis. We all loved him dearly.. Will never forget him..May this be the last sorrow you ever have to endure.
hugs adn love,
Chick
October 6th, 2010 at 10:05 pm
We will miss seeing Dennis in that Flag shirt too! He was a loving man with a very colorful sense of humor!
We love you Shirley! as well as your wonderful family!
Our prayers are for your dependance on the Lord for strength and healing.
Dave and Dyann , Nashville
October 7th, 2010 at 12:17 pm
We will miss visiting Dennis and calling him with our questions. Dennis did not hesitate when I asked him if he would board my 33 y.o. mare until I found a farm to purchase. In all our visits to Mustang Manor, each of us left with some lesson learned. If Dennis told you to do something, you’d better do it. I still chuckle when I think of Dennis telling my kids to go and do something; his goal was teaching them not to be afraid of the animals and have patience and trust and it will come. We learned alot from Dennis and I thank him for protecting my mare. Since 2003, Dennis has helped me with the knowledge he has with horses in my current horse case. I know that his spirit will be with me as I proceed forward. My sympathy to his entire family. He will be dearly missed!
October 8th, 2010 at 3:38 am
Dear Shirley,
I did not know your son Dennis, but he must have been a good man. My Uncle Ernie thought so and because of Dennis you became part of our Zimmerman family. So thank you Dennis for making a difference in our world. And for the horses you loved so much. Shirley, my heart goes out to you. You are special to me as my Uncle Ernie was. Nancy
October 11th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Our sympathy to the Stork family. I met Dennis while working with Merle Fisher as a young boy and continued to interacting with him at several horse events throughout the years. Dennis was a class act. I don’t know of a finer individual to call friend. Dennis will be missed by many people as his mere presence at any event made the day filled with fun, laughter, and comerodery. We will miss Dennis. Our deepest sympathy to the Stork family and friends.
Marcus and Linda Jordan.
November 11th, 2010 at 9:36 am
I only knew Dennis for one day. We met at an auction eariler this year (2010). I was so inspired by him in that one day. I had very much hoped to see him again. He had given me an open invitation to come work with him and his horses and learn the world of the draft breeds, which was a lifelong dream for me. I could see that he was good with animals and people, which I admired. This is a great loss. His blind mare was a concern for him. Therefore, I am doing what I can to help – if needed – for that horse. Dennis was an amazing guy. I will miss him, even though I barely knew him. I feel I can call him a friend. My deepest sympathy to his family. Karen Schilling