LaFever, Dennis L.

Died: 13 November 2018

LaFever, Dennis L. It is with great sadness that the family of Dennis “Big D” LaFever announces his passing on Tuesday 13 Nov 2018 at the age of 70. Dennis was born in Sheboygan, attended Random Lake High School and graduated from Milwaukee Area Technical College. He was a licensed electrician for more than 50 years.

He will be remembered by the love of his life and wife of 35 years, Jackie. Dennis is survived by his brothers Mark and Miles LaFever (special friend Diane) and sister-in-law Diane LaFever. He is also remembered by his life-long buddies Henry Kurth, Jimmy Krier, Henry Krier and Nick Didier, as well as the many other fishing and hunting buddies and many special friends throughout the United States. 

He was preceded in death by his brothers Neal and Jay, brother-in-law Jeffrey Horn, sister-in-law Sandy LaFever, mother Helen and father Clarence, as well as mother and father-in-law Joan and Edward Janke.

In 1984, Dennis and Jackie left Wisconsin for Virginia City, Mont., where they established the Virginia City Café. In 1990, they moved to West Yellowstone, Mont., to establish Bullwinkle’s, the restaurant that has become the premier eatery in their adopted hometown. During his time in West Yellowstone, Dennis served as the police commissioner as well as an airport board member. His community service will be greatly missed.

Dennis was an avid hunter and fisherman, having bagged the namesake moose that Bullwinkle’s was named after. Fishing in Canada and other places around the country was favored by Dennis. He also had an abiding love for cars.

Dennis has been cremated and his ashes will be scattered at his family farm in Wisconsin according to his wishes.

A private memorial service will be held in Wisconsin. There will be three celebrations of life:

Sunday 18 Nov 2018 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Bullwinkle’s in West Yellowstone, Montana, on 

Saturday 8 Dec 2018 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Five Pillars in Random Lake. Wisconsin, and on 

Saturday 15 Dec 2018 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Key Colony Inn in Key Colony Beach, Florida

The LaFever Family thanks you for your kind remembrance.

Dennis is a sixth generation descendant of Friedrich and Rosina Seidemann and his genealogy line is as follows: Friedrich, Christiana, Johann, Lulu, Helen, and Dennis. He is listed on page 160 in the 4th edition of the Seidemann Family Tree book. He will be greatly missed by all who know him.