Funeral services for Dennis “Denny” Ferrell, 72, Fairview, were at 11 a.m., Saturday, Aug. 21, 2010, at the Fairview High School Old Gym with Pastor Cal Oraw of the Zion Lutheran Church of Fairview officiating. Cremation followed the services under the direction of the Fulkerson Funeral Home of Sidney. Music was provided by Leslie Bieber and Larry Riggs.

Casketbearers were Jack Hanson, Tim Mahoney, Larry Smith, Dennis Rockney, Dick Gifford, Lon Sinness and Pat Knaff. Honorary casketbearers were Louise Fletcher, June Togerson, Denny’s grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Ushers were Dan Cayko and Larry Stewart. Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at www.fulkersons.com.

Dennis Robert Ferrell died peacefully surrounded by the loving hands of the caring nursing staff at Sidney Health Center, on Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010. Denny was born Dec. 27, 1937, in Williston, N.D., to proud parents, George and Myrtle (Collings) Ferrell. Denny grew up in Williston spending much of his youth playing various sports. His mother was always worried about him playing, because he developed leg problems even as a child. However, he participated in track and field, baseball, football, basketball and wrestling.

He excelled at all athletic activities and was named All State in his individual sports. Denny received the 1955 E.A. Russell Traveling Trophy presented annually to the most valuable player of the Williston American Junior Legion Team. He was ranked as one of the top Junior Legion pitchers in the state during the 1955 Class A season. In the summer 1956, he was drafted by the Saint Louis Cardinals to a farm league in Bismarck, N.D. However he gave up his passion for baseball to serve his country. He enlisted in the Army in April of his senior year. He was first stationed in Germany in 1957. He was very proud of his military service.

In July 1960, he married Connie Ralph, from this union there were six children, Mike, Dennise, Bob, Georgia, Anita and Danny. After getting married, he re-enlisted and was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., Turkey, Fort Lewis, Wash., and then back to Germany. He was honorably discharged from the Army in 1965.

After serving his time in the military, he worked varies jobs. He worked for Coke a Cola, Sitting Bull Auction, Ray’s Plumbing, Smith Farms, in the oil field in Alaska, Asbeck Farms, Plains Construction and R.H. Gifford, just to name a few. Dad worked for R.H. Gifford up until he lost his left leg in April of 1997. He was always a hard working man.

On Dec. 31, 1976, Dad married Irene Schwindt. He had two stepchildren from this union; Roxanne and Ron “Bumper” Schwindt.

He had a love for fishing, playing cards, dancing and singing to us kids whenever we got in the car. Watching Dad and Mom dance and singing with him are some of his children’s fondest memories. With six kids and two adults in a car we are sure it was his way of not going crazy. His love of competition was instilled in his kids early. He always had us competing with each other, even if it was just who could walk the fastest or sit on the wall the longest. He also taught us all how to argue with the best of them. His biggest disappointment after losing his second leg in April of 2007 was not being able to enjoy his love of fishing, dances and daily drives around the valley. But his love of sports continued to be his ultimate passion. For the past 20 years Kirk and Dad were partners in the fantasy football league. He very much enjoyed having his grandkids and great-grandkids come to visit him and his puppy, Squash.

Dad put up a courageous three and a half year fight with his health and developed a very special bond with numerous staff at the Sidney Health Center. While he hated to leave us, we can be assured that his “buddies” Mel Miller and Mike Torgerson were waiting for him with a fishing rod and a cold one.

He is survived by his children Mike (Nubia) Ralph, Houston, Texas, Dennise (Tim) Schaffner, Glendive, Bob (Deb) Ferrell, Billings, Georgia (DuWayne) Lorenz Sidney, Anita (Kirk) Johnson Cartwright, N.D., and Danny Ferrell, Fairview; siblings Lois Sinness, Myrna (Jerry) Powell and Bill (Pat) Ferrell, all of Williston; 19 grandchildren; and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Ferrell, parents George and Myrtle Ferrell, and siblings James Ferrell, Mildred and Dick Brendan, Georgia “Jo” and Ed Hermanson.