Dennis M. "Denny" Herrald, age 68, passed away surrounded by friends and family on Tuesday, January 26, 2010 at St. Joseph's Hospital in West Bend.
Dennis was born to Elston and Lucille (nee Hilleman) Herrald (both from Iowa), on July 23, 1941, in Los Angeles, CA. He moved around quite a bit as a young child while his father taught accounting at various colleges around the country until they settled in central NY. Dennis and his brother, Paul Herrald, who now resides with his wife in Denver, CO, and late sister, Judith Herrald Norrbom, grew up in Syracuse and Baldwinsville, NY, while his father worked at General Electric and taught night classes in accounting at Syracuse University. His mother briefly taught school in Central Square, NY. Dennis told stories of helping his father in the yard and garden and fixing up their old home. He graduated from Baldwinsville High School in 1959. He went to Coe College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and graduated with a business degree in 1963. His first job, which became his entire career, was in management with the Kmart Corporation. He spent three years "living out of a suitcase" opening new stores in South Dakota, Missouri, Indiana, Iowa, Illinois, and Wisconsin. He met his late wife, Sharon Headrick, during his work in Iowa, and they married on December 26, 1970. They were happily married and enjoyed living in Iowa and Chicago until she died in 1979. They loved spending time with Sharon's family, including Danny and Karen Headrick, Bob and Sondra Stensby, and their children, who remained important and close to Dennis for the rest of his life.
Dennis moved to West Bend, in 1985 and truly enjoyed his years there. He met his companion, Edna, in the '90s and they spent about 13 years together. He enjoyed travelling with her, driving her around town, getting to know her family, going out to eat with her, going to concerts, and supporting her gardening in his yard.
Dennis took a lot of pride in his involvement with Charlestown Condominium association. He was the president of the association for many years and took his position very seriously. He enjoyed connecting with and helping the other residents in the neighborhood. Dennis is also remembered as a Wisconsin sports fan. He loved watching the Brewers and Green Bay Packers and followed their seasons closely.
Dennis enjoyed travelling to see family. They could count on him to come through any weather for holidays, graduations, weddings, and other important occasions. He was also a dog-lover. Princess and Sasha were very lucky poodles to have Denny dote over them each day.
Dennis was a kind, gentle, thoughtful, and generous man. He will be remembered as a good friend, a proud uncle, and a caring husband, brother and brother-in-law. We will all miss our visits, dinners out, holidays, baseball games, and vacations with him. He was a special man to many people and he will truly be missed.
Dennis was a loyal friend and a caring brother, brother-in-law, and uncle. He is survived by his brother, Paul Herrald, his companion, Edna Suchon, his nieces, Lisa Herrald-Doerschler, Angela Herrald, Jessie (Herrald) Salladin, his nephew, Michael Herrald, and their families, and his in-laws, the Stensby family of the Chicago area.
A Memorial service in remembrance of Denny will be held on Sunday, January 31st at 3:00 pm at the Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral Home (1315 W. Washington Street) West Bend. Deacon Mark Jansen of Holy Angels Catholic Church will officiate. Visitation will be at the funeral home on Sunday from 1:00 pm until the time of the service. Cremation took place at Myrhum ~ Patten Funeral & Cremation Service and burial of his cremated remains will be in Cedar Rapids, IA.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the American Heart Association or the American Diabetes Association are appreciated by the family.