Dennis E. VanVelkinburgh

Dennis VanVelkinburgh lost a short, courageous battle with lung disease and returned home to be with his Savior on October 21, 2009, surrounded by his family and friends.

He was born at Larsen Air Force Base in Moses Lake, WA on January 15, 1957 to Charlie and Lorree VanVelkinburgh. Charlie was in the Air Force so Dennis and his family moved often during his childhood, to Japan, Michigan, North Dakota, and all around Washington, ending up in Quincy. Dennis was a cub scout, was invited to be a member of the Order of the Arrow, and eventually gained rank as Eagle Scout. He graduated from high school in 1977 in Michigan.

After various jobs driving truck around the area, Dennis ended up at Lamb Weston-Con Agra in Quincy, where he has worked for the last 28 years. Dennis loved to visit with his friends and family there and he will be missed for his silly jokes and stories. He met his future wife there, Paula, and they were married on December 20, 1986. They eventually raised five sons in their little house on D Street NW in Ephrata. Dennis’ greatest gift was his ability to accept anyone, regardless of status or affiliation in life. Dennis’ passions in life were his family, volunteer fire fighting, and working on his wife’s family farm in Soap Lake. He spent many hours on the farm in the last years of his life helping to fix the old place up. Dennis had been a volunteer firefighter in both Ephrata and Quincy for 17 years, beginning in the late 1980s until his health prevented him from continuing. He leaves a family who loved him unconditionally and will miss him each day until we see him again in heaven. Rest well Dennis, we love you.

He is survived by his loving wife of 23 years, Paula, at the family home, 5 sons, Michael (Stephanie) VanVelkinburgh of Kent, Jared (Karinne) Mack, Jacob VanVelkinburgh, Jeremiah VanVelkinburgh, and Jesse VanVelkinburgh, all of Ephrata, his devoted parents Charlie and Lorree VanVelkinburgh of Quincy, brother Doug (Debbie Overen) VanVelkinburgh of Tigard, Ore., Sharlene (Sheri) Burton of Marysville, Cyndy (Ed) French of Bonnie Lake, Uncle George (Dee) VanVelkinburgh of Ephrata, 4 grandsons, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Dennis had an especially close loving relationship with his wife’s family and is also survived by brother and sister in laws Ted Mack of Soap Lake, Roxanne Mack, Albert Mack, Victor Mack, and David Mack, all of Ephrata, Peggy Long of Davenport, and Karl Mack of Post Falls, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents W.E. (Bud) and Olyve Johnson, Ethelyn Kelly, father in law Albert P. Mack and brother in law John Mack.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 28th, 2009, at 1 p.m. at the Ephrata Church of the Nazarene, 33 D Street NE, in Ephrata. Graveside services to follow. Nicole’s Funeral Home, 157 C Street NW, Ephrata, is in charge of the arrangements.