Dennis Montgomery

Dennis Montgomery, 74, Moorhead, MN, died on Sunday, November 17, 2013, at Essentia Health, Fargo, ND.
Dennis was born on July 3, 1939, in Grand Forks, ND, to Robert and Caroline Pella Montgomery. He grew up and attended school in Fargo, ND, graduating from Shanley High School. He married Marlys Gronbeck on July 26, 1957, at Trinity Lutheran Church in Moorhead and where they made their home.
Dennis worked in trucking, first at Minnota Carbonic then Consolidated Freightways and E.W. Wylie, where he became the safety director and was recognized as safety director of the year by the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association. He then worked independently driving semi’s across country. In his retirement, Dennis drove bus for Richards Transportation, befriending many students of Moorhead schools.
It was during one of Dennis trips with his semi that he encountered the massive tornado that hit Oklahoma City in 1999. He witnessed first-hand the devastation and called into KFGO and shared with the listeners of the Eddie Schultz show. He followed his heart and worked with KFGO to organize a load of supplies that he donated his time and cost to deliver from the Fargo/Moorhead area to the victims of this tragedy. For his philanthropic efforts, he received the Governor’s Humanitarian Award from the Governor of Oklahoma.
Dennis served on the church council at the Lutheran Church of Christ the King. He loved wood working, golf, playing cards, pinochle, and had recently enjoyed Wii Bowling with his friend Pat at River Point.
He was a friend of Bill W’s and had celebrated thirty five years of sobriety. Denny had a great sense of humor and loved to tell stories. He always had a joke and had a way about him that made people feel welcome and comfortable. He made friends wherever he went. Dennis was a kid at heart, and cherished his time with his grandkids and great-grandkids, telling jokes and making them laugh. He will be missed by many.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Marlys Montgomery, Moorhead; three daughters, Brenda Eric Montgomery-Linn, Port Orchard, WA, Gail Mike Hagen, Moorhead; and Nancy David Nelson, Spokane, WA; one sister Patricia Gary Heisler, Chandler, AZ; nine grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a granddaughter Katie Rose, a son-in-law Eric Korotish and a nephew Gary Heisler.
Visitation: Thursday, November 21, 2013, from 5:00 P.M. until 7:00 P.M., with a prayer service at 7:00 P.M., in Wright Funeral Home, Moorhead, MN. Visitation will continue Friday at the church.
Funeral: Friday, November 22, 2013, at 11:00 A.M., in the Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Moorhead, MN.
Final Resting Place: The columbarium at the Lutheran Church of Christ the King.