DIETRICH: Dennis Stephen Dietrich, age 56, of Dashwood passed away at the farm he had spent his whole life on, surrounded by his family on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

He was the loving husband and best friend of Jackie (McLellan) Dietrich for 32 years.  He was the proudest father to Kristie & Jordan Hansen; Sara Dietrich & Sam Knechtel; and Emma Dietrich.  He was cherished Opa to Josephine Hansen.

Dennis grew up on the Dietrich homestead, carrying on the family farming legacy.  Once he took over the operation, he built a beef barn, grew the acreage and raised his family together with Jackie. Success came from his dedication to hard work, commitment to long hours on the job and skills as an amateur engineer, unpaid accountant, self-taught veterinarian, equipment operator, backyard mechanic, and mathematician.  Farming was more than what he did, it was who he was.

Dennis’ other passion was people.  He loved to spend time with his family, his neighbours and his friends.  Days on the snowmobile trails, evenings with his buddies, organizing vintage sled runs, hosting steak nights, sharing a cold one and a laugh with the guys on Bronson Line at the end of a hard day in the field, or rounding up a crew to help a neighbour in need.

And the people he was most passionate about were his family.  Dennis loved watching his kids on the ice, on the soccer pitch, or doing whatever activities they got involved in. Younger days were spent camping, teaching them to run their own farm business or relaxing on the beach at the family cottage.  Dennis and Jackie spent their favourite moments in a lawn chair under the shade tree on the front lawn of the farm.

Dennis is survived by his sisters, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews and his mother-in-law, Karen McLellan.  He will be especially missed by his Eugelink family in The Netherlands.  He is predeceased by his parents, Stephen & Josephine (Eugelink) Dietrich, sister Pauline Dietrich, brother Anthony Dietrich and father-in-law, Donald McLellan.

Resting at the T. Harry Hoffman & Sons Funeral Home, Dashwood with visitation on Wednesday, October 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.  The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Mount Carmel on Thursday, October 30, 2025 at 11 a.m.  Interment at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Cemetery.  Celebration of Dennis’ life and legacy to follow at the family farm – bring a warm jacket. All are welcome to attend either or both.  If desired, memorial donations may be made to cancer research at the Canadian Cancer Society (link – please choose Cancer Research in the drop down menu) or any charity of your choice.

For those who were unable to attend there was a short video created with some moments from the vistiation, service, graveside and reception.

https://youtu.be/mCT0GYWyPrw - click the link to view

The words of the song are based on the writings of Jackie, the loving wife of Dennis for 32 years. Dennis will be missed and we are thankful for the love that never ends from the farmer, father, neighbour and friend. 

~Hoffman Funeral Home