I passed quietly from this world in the dawning hours of Aug. 26, 2015, on the farm which I started and raised my beloved family. It was a day more fit for cutting hay than passing, but I trust that the Lord knows best.
I was born on the first of December 1947 to Edwin and Virginia (Pfuhl) Hubbard. As a firecracker lighting youth (for which the superintendent reprimanded me), I attended the Spring Valley one-room schoolhouse, located in the same valley that I would live my entire life. Mine was the first class that attended Brookwood High School for all four years, where I graduated in 1965. 4-H and FFA were important parts of my life, as I attained my American FFA Degree.
How fitting it was that in the Salem Valley Church where I was baptized as an infant, and confirmed as a young man, that I first met Diane Adams, the love of my life. It was she that I married on July 12, 1969, and with her steadily at my side, we spent our days dairy farming, tilling the land, and raising our three children, Dave, Dawn, and Dan.
I will be loved and missed by my dear wife, Diane (Adams) Hubbard; my beloved children, Dave (Sarah Gerber) Hubbard of Boscobel, Wis., Dawn (Chad) Powell of Norwalk, and Dan (Valerie Kelly) Hubbard of Onalaska; two brothers, Dean (Barb) and Paul (Natalie) Hubbard, both of Sussex, Wis.; and eight joyful grandchildren who brought a brightness to every day, Emily, Shelly, Dylan, Kylie, Drew, Katie, and Dustin Powell of Norwalk and Sonja Hubbard of Boscobel; mother-in-law Merna Adams, and in-laws Earl and Lynn Adams, Larry and Rhonda Adams, and Jim and Donna Newmann, along with many other aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins scattered near and far.
It brings me joy to know that I will be missed by the ones whom I loved most, and the community for which I lived and served to the best of my God-given ability. I participated in many aspects of the Valley church, where I worshipped. Like my forefathers, I devoted my time and efforts to the Sheldon Township where I lived my entire life, and to Monroe County, where I chaired the county board, and served on various committees. I also enjoyed my service to Farm Bureau, Shelter care, Lions Club, Norwalk Housing, Norwalk Fire Board, ITBEC, Farm Service Agency, Friends of the Community, (and numerous others) and the Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery Board where my wandering days will end. It was in these many activities that I met lifelong friends whom I want to thank for making a difference not only in their serving, but in my life.
In my leisure time, I spent many hours pursuing, collecting, and restoring countless antiques. Road trips with family and friends led me far from the Valley that I called home, and provided meat and potatoes for my many stories. Hunting on the hills at home in the Valley, and in the mountains out west with family and friends, provided meat for my table.
Many of you knew me due to my service, but it was my deep devotion to my God and my wife and my great love of my children and grandchildren that I desire to be remembered for the most. My service to them is my legacy.
Funeral services were Saturday, Aug. 29, at the Historic Salem Methodist Church on County Highway T, Norwalk. Pastor Fran Hewuse officiated. Burial followed in Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be given to Wanderer’s Rest Cemetery, Norwalk Clovers 4-H, or Brookwood FFA in Dennis’ name. Torkelson Page-Smith Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be offered at www.torkelsonfuneralhome.com.
