Dennis L. Woelfel, age 71, of New Holstein, died unexpectedly at his home on January 20, 2022.

Dennis was born on August 25, 1950 to Othmar "Ozzie" and Dolores (Schmaling) Woelfel. He attended St. Anna Catholic School and graduated from Kiel High School in 1969.

On September 7, 1974 Dennis married Susan Miller at Zion Lutheran Church in New Holstein, and together they raised four children.  Dennis' children were very important to him, and he enjoyed spending time with them, including many camping trips to Door County and Wisconsin Dells. As his kids grew he enjoyed cheering on Chris at his Special Olympic events and his girls at their sporting events and extracurricular activities.

Dennis was mechanically inclined and worked as an auto mechanic for several years before working for over 20 years as a welder for his father-in-law at Miller Manufacturing.  He also drove school bus for Daun Transportation; including driving the New Holstein morning school bus and late bus routes for many years. Dennis also drove for girls' volleyball, basketball and softball games, which allowed him to be at all his girls' sporting events.

In his free time, Dennis enjoyed woodworking, flying kites, listening to music, camping, bird watching, and spending time with his family.  Dennis truly cherished all the time he spent with his granddaughter Ella, over the past 6 years, and glowed with pride any time he showed her picture or talked about her to his friends and family.

Dennis is survived by his wife: Sue, son: Christopher, daughters: Rebecca Woelfel, Erin (Robert) Wartenberg and granddaughter: Ella, and Emily Woelfel (Seneca Ivery), and his cat, Kallie CoCo.  He is further survived by his brothers: Terry (Sue) Woelfel and Bruce (Lori) Woelfel and sister: Lisa (Dave) Holzmann, brother-in-law: David (Barb) Miller, and sister-in-law: Mary (James) Prange, nieces and nephews, other relatives and many close friends and neighbors.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Ozzie and Dolores, brothers David and Jeffrey, and his father-in-law and mother in-law: Harold and Deloris Miller.

Mass of Christian Burial for Dennis will be held at 2:00PM on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at SS. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Kiel.  Officiating at the service will be Rev. Carl Diedriches assisted by Deacon Bernard "Pat" Knier.  Burial will follow at Countryview Cemetery, New Holstein.

The family will greet relatives and friends at the church from 11:00AM until 1:45PM when brief family rites will be held.

The family wishes to thank the first responders, and emergency personnel for their compassionate care during this difficult time.