Covid-19 claimed the earthly life of 78-year old Dennis Shank of Goodland, KS on November 8, 2020, at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas, with his family at his side. Dennis was larger than life and with his life eternal, he has triumphed over death.
Dennis was born to Lee E. and Leola J. (Schwindt) Shank on March 17, 1942, at the Baker Hospital in La Crosse, KS. He attended District 52 in rural Rush County and graduated from Bison High School in 1960. In 1966, Dennis received his BS degree in Business and Economics from Fort Hays State College three days after he met Gaylene Hayden on a blind date. Dennis and Gaylene were united in marriage on June 4, 1967 at the First United Methodist Church in Goodland, KS. Their union was blessed with two children, Tiffany and Cade.
For sixteen years Dennis worked as a bookkeeper and corporate accountant at Weilert’s Furniture in Hays, KS, Staab-Bunker Motors in La Crosse, KS, and Frick Construction and Exline, Inc. in Salina, KS. In 1982, Dennis felt the call to be a steward of the land and began farming and ranching in Sherman County, KS. Dennis was most at peace while caring for the land, producing crops, and tending his beloved herd of cattle, including his favorite cow, Gertrude, who still resides at the farm.
In addition to being a member of the Goodland United Methodist Church, Dennis took special pride in serving each of his communities in various ways. He was a member of the La Crosse Jaycees, the International Lions Clubs of Solomon and Goodland, the Solomon Masonic Lodge, and the Isis Shrine of Salina. He enjoyed serving on the Solomon City Council, the board of directors of the Goodland Co-op, the Goodland Regional Medical Center Board, and the Sherman County Soil Conservation Services Board.
Dennis was an avid hunter, enjoying many pursuits of pheasants, deer, and antelope with his treasured friend and hunting buddy Richard Carlson. He was a member of Pheasants Forever and Ducks Unlimited. Richard recalls the special occasion of their hunting trip to Nebraska during which Dennis used his grandfather’s shotgun to shoot a pheasant.
Dennis had a rough exterior with a good heart. He was very generous with others and fond of taking in strays, whether they were animals or strangers. He loved to talk with anyone and everyone, especially about farming. If Gaylene wanted to locate him in a crowd, she merely had to listen for his booming voice talking about agriculture.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and an infant sister Katherine.
He is survived by his wife of the home, daughter Tiffany (Casey) Musil of Louisburg, KS, son Cade Shank of Wichita, KS, beloved grandchildren Megan Scott of Hays, KS, Hannah Jones of Hays, KS, and Zachary Musil of Louisburg, KS. He is also survived by his brother Duane (Carol) Shank of Stillwater, OK, sister Deanne (John) Ficken of Bison, KS, brother Dale (Lorrie) Shank of Basehor, KS, his favorite Aunt Thelma Fiala of Bison, KS, many nieces and nephews, as well as many extended family and legions of friends.
Visitation will be held at Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland, KS from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. MT on Friday, November 13, 2020. Memorial services will be at the Goodland United Methodist Church at 1:00 p.m. MT on Saturday, November 14, 2020 with Pastor Zach Anderson officiating. Properly worn masks are REQUIRED during each of these events. For those unable to attend the service in person, the Methodist Church will livestream the service on their Facebook page, at www.facebook.com/goodlandumc. You do not need to have a Facebook account to be able to view the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Kansas Masonic Foundation, Pheasants Forever, or the Goodland United Methodist Church and may be left at the services or mailed to Koons-Russell Funeral Home, 211 N. Main Ave., Goodland, KS 67735.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.koonsrussellfuneralhome.com.
Koons-Russell Funeral Home in Goodland has been entrusted with all arrangements.