Dennis Specht, 72, Bismarck, died November 7, 2020 at Sanford Hospital with his wife and family by his side.
A funeral service will be held at Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Bismarck, Friday, November 13 at 2:00 PM. Family will greet visitors one hour prior to the service.
Dennis was born to Andrew and Eleanor (Trusskey) Specht on June 26, 1948 in Beulah, ND. He was raised in Dodge, ND and graduated from Dodge High School. After High school he went to Fargo, ND to Mechanical Trade School. He worked for Butler and BNI for 38 years from which he retired.
Dennis married Janice Braun and they had three children, Tammy, Jerry, and Joey. He married Sheila Wilkie in 1991 and to this union came Sheila’s package of eight children, Pat, David, Georgieanna, William, Troy, Suzanne, Todd, and Leora.
Dennis enjoyed watching Westerns, especially John Wayne. He was an avid Pinochle player and loved to shake dice with his wife and family. Dennis was Mr. Competitive when any kind of game was played! He was active in Alcoholics Anonymous with sobriety of 38 years.
Dennis is survived by his wife Sheila; children, Tammy (Chuck) Bonnetts, Jerry (Ann), Joey (Traci), Leora Wilkie, Suzanne Wilkie, Georgieanna (Ed) Schonert, Patrick (Leann) WIlkie, David (Shavonne) Wilkie, William Wilkie, and Todd Wilkie; 30 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren, and nine great great grandchildren; brothers, Roy (Donna) Stern and Jim (Vonnie) Specht; sisters, Elaine (Willie) Fetch, June Barnhardt, Mae (Tom) Mccone, Betty (Gary) Duttenhefer, Maxine (Steve) Malsam, and Carol Vazquez; as well as many nieces and nephews.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents; children, Tammy Wilkie and Troy Wilkie; grandson, Jesse Moon; sisters, Luan Rudnick and Darlene Specht; and brother-in-law, Vern Barnhardt.