Dennis D. Driessen

Dennis Driessen passed away on October 27, 2023. Dennis was born in Little Chute, Wisconsin to the late Clarence and Marie Driessen on September 13, 1947. He was a graduate of St. John High School and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Following college, Dennis worked briefly in Little Chute before moving to Milwaukee and beginning an almost 40-year career as a bank examiner for the State of Wisconsin.

On August 7, 1971, Dennis married Patricia McCormick, daughter of the late Timothy and Myrna McCormick, at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Wrightstown, Wisconsin. He and Patricia moved to Milwaukee and then Menomonee Falls, where they raised their three children, Eric, Jeff, and Terri. Dennis and Patricia eventually moved to Greenville, Wisconsin, to be near their two oldest grandchildren, Kaelie and Owen. Years later, they moved to Batavia, Ohio, to be near their two youngest grandchildren, Caleb and Anna Kate. Dennis loved spending time with his grandchildren. His grandchildren knew when Grandpa picked them up from school, there was a good chance they would be stopping for ice cream.

Dennis's devotion to family led him to actively support his children’s, grandchildren’s, and extended family’s extracurricular activities. Dennis was always at the basketball court and softball field when his sons and daughter played in high school. He attended Kaelie's concerts and traveled to New York City to see her perform at Carnegie Hall. Dennis shared a love of animals with Owen. When Dennis couldn't attend Caleb's baseball games, he watched the game online and researched the other team. Dennis loved going with Anna Kate to the stables when she was horseback riding, which included bringing pounds of apples and carrots for the horses and donkey. Dennis also actively followed high school sports and attended grand-nephews’ and grand-nieces’ games. A Milwaukee Braves and Green Bay Packers fan growing up, he continued to have a passion for Wisconsin sports teams throughout his life.

Most recently, Dennis was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Batavia, Ohio, after previously being a parishioner of St. Veronica's in Mount Carmel, Ohio, and St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception in Greenville, Wisconsin. He was a member of Good Shepherd in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, for more than 30 years. He served various roles in congregations, including children’s Christian formation and as an usher. Unknown to most until he became gravely ill, Dennis was very charitable with several organizations, including those addressing housing insecurity, supporting expectant mothers, medically treating children, and caring for abused and neglected animals.

Dennis is survived by his children: Eric (Terry) of Williamsburg, Virginia; Jeff of Hamilton, Ohio; and Terri (Matt Bourque) of Chicago, Illinois; his four grandchildren: Kaelie and Owen of Williamsburg, Virginia; and Caleb and Anna Kate of Hamilton, Ohio. Dennis is also survived by two siblings: Mary Melinski and Kate (Tom) Weyenberg, as well as in-laws: Mary Ehnerd and Mike (Connie) McCormick. He was preceded in death by his wife Patricia Driessen; brother Tom Driessen; sister Aggie Heiting; brothers-in-law Dick Heiting, Dennis Melinski, Bob Ehnerd, and Jim McCormick; and sister-in-law Joana Driessen. A dog-lover throughout his life, he is preceded in death by many furry companions and survived by multiple grandpups.

The family would like to thank doctors, nurses, and therapists at University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Encompass Health Rehabilitation Hospital of Cincinnati, and Vitas Hospice.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception, N2385 Municipal Drive, Greenville, Wisconsin. Visitation will be held at the church from 9:00am to the hour of service. Memorial contributions can be made to Mary’s Missions (www.Marys3Missions.org) and Vida Medical Clinic and Support Services of Appleton, WI (www.VidaMedicalClinic.org).