Obituaries

Verona, WI - Dennis “Denny” Earl Kepler, age 82, passed away peacefully on November 17, 2024, at Agrace Hospicecare in Fitchburg. Born on October 13th, 1942, in Madison, WI, the son of Rollin & Rose (Joyce) Kepler. He grew up on Madison’s Southside attending Franklin Elementary and later Madison Central High School where he played Hockey. Denny married the love of his life, Dolores (Tranchita) on January 8, 1966, and together they enjoyed 40 years together until Dee’s passing in 2006. Denny loved his Wisconsin sports, but especially hockey where he would be seen at the Coliseum for all home games. Denny stayed active golfing, fishing, playing softball and raising & coaching his two sons. He spent his professional career in the commercial paint contracting business in both Madison for Klein- Dickert and later in Appleton, WI for Omni Glass and Paint. Denny retired in 2006, and became a member at Hawks Landing in Verona, WI where he enjoyed the companionship of wonderful people. Along with playing a lot of golf in his retirement, he enjoyed watching his grandkids grow up and compete in hockey, softball, tennis and volleyball in Dane County.

Survivors include sons, David (Karen) of Verona, Derrick of Prairie Du Sac, Tami (Sterba) Kepler of Windsor; grandchildren, Nolan, Claudia, Chloe, & Gwen; sister, Ruby (Howard) Larsen, of Bayfield, WI; brother in-laws, Vincent (Cathy) Tranchita of Phoenix, AZ, Peter (Joann) Tranchita of Deforest, WI; sisters in law Josephine (Ralph) Spoerle of Hot Springs, AR and Vicki (Tom) Kepler of Dane, WI; nieces and nephews; Beverly Lynde, Susan Spoerle, Bill & Chris Eddy, Rhonda Klinge, Brenda Leske, Tami Schell, Colin Kepler, Ryan Tranchita, Erin Delaney, Matt & Ashley Tranchita. He will be dearly missed by all his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Dolores (Tranchita); parents, Rollin & Rose (Joyce) Kepler; sister, Phyllis (Kepler) Abrahamson; brother, Thomas Kepler; brothers in law, Ralph Spoerle, Leroy Abrahamson and Howard Larsen, Sister in-law, Nina Eddy; nephews Randall Olson, Eric and Andrew Abrahamson.

A “Celebration of Life” event will be held on Saturday, December 7th, 2024, from 2pm to 6pm at the Draft House located at 1010 Enterprise Drive, Verona, WI. Please come casual or in your best Badger gear prior to the Badgers hockey game vs. Michigan State.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial donations be made to Agrace Hospice Care of Madison. 5395 E. Cheryl Pkwy, Madison, WI 53711.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to the doctors, nurses and staff with SSM Health, Agrace Hospice & A Place for Mom for guidance, care and compassion.

To view and sign this guestbook, please visit: www.ryanfuneralservice.com.