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- Denissen, Alfred L.
Just shy of his 99th birthday, Alfred "Skinny" Denissen danced his way into heaven. With a promise from his wife, Mary, they would dance together through the pearly gates. Alfred was born May 23rd, 1916 to John and Rose (Ortlieb) Denissen. He grew up farming in Allouez with his family, which included his four older brothers and his youngest sister.
He met Mary Lawler and they married on April 11th, 1938. He worked at Hochgreved Brewery as a Kettle Masher. He later served in the Army from 1945-1946. He was overseas for five months during that span. He was assigned to the 3004th Bakery Company Quartermaster in the Asiatic Pacific theatre of war. He sent many love letters back home to Mary and the three children that were in the house at the time. After his arrival home from the war, four more children were added to the jackpot.
Alfred was a carpenter by trade. He built the house that his family lived in. He worked long and hard to support his family. He worked alongside his brothers to build many a house in the Green Bay area. He also worked at St. Joseph's Boy's Home until his retirement.
After Mary's death in 1969 Alfred raised the four younger children to the best of his ability. He raised them to be independent and led them to establish a good work ethic and compassion for others through his own examples. There are many stories few and far between that will be cherished and embedded on our hearts forever.
Alfred took up square dancing with the Whirlawind Club for many years and enjoyed many a dance with his good friend, Jean Palmer. He also danced on a couple of Caribbean cruises. Dad loved to travel to warmer climates and spent several winters in Arizona with his driving buddy, Pete. The Kentucky Derby was a fun family adventure several times. Reading books was also something he enjoyed, and he would always rate his books when he was finished, so you would know if they were good. Alfred also enjoyed officiating sports such as baseball and basketball. His last adventure in his 90s was to take the Amtrak to Oregon with his daughter, Julie.
He loved a good party and enjoyed playing a good dice or card game with the family or whoever wanted to sit in. When it was time to leave he didn't like long goodbyes, so he would slip out the door without anyone noticing. When we didn't see him around, we'd all joke and say, Dad pulled a "skinny," meaning he left without a goodbye.
He made many friends and acquaintances easily during his long life. He taught us compassion for others as he helped many a neighbor well into his 80's with working odd jobs for them. His good nature and sense of humor kept them all coming back.
Alfred is survived by all his seven children and their spouses. Mike (Rose) Denissen; Chris (Bob) Belport; Scott (Linda) Denissen; Julie (Dean) Hoegger; Kurt (Monica) Denissen; Kay (Don) Brosig; and Claire (Richard) Dombrowski. He is also survived by many grandchildren, Jeff (Nina) Denissen; Jessica (Mike) Denissen; Kevin Belport; Dan (Erin) Belport; Matt (Amy) Balistreri; Susan (Chuck) Denissen; Ann (Eric) Sacleben; Amber Heise; Nick Hoegger; and Leon (Samantha) Zimmerman. Alfred is further survived by many grandchildren, step grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He is also survived by his sister Bernice Tomcheck, and two brothers-in-law Patrick (Joyce) Lawler and Robert Hessel.
Alfred was preceded in death by his wife Mary Louise (Lawler) Denissen and his grandson Sgt. Luke Zimmerman. Also his brothers and their spouses, George (Gertrude) Denissen; Ray (Loa) Denissen; Harry (Leona) Denissen; Edward (Verna) Denissen. His brothers and sisters in law, Tracy Tomcheck; Bernard (Mary) Lawler; Edward Lawler; David Lawler; Betty (Dick) Biermert; Patricia (Robert) Santy; and Pauline Hessel. He left many special nieces, nephews and good friends that will always have a place in their hearts.
Family and friends are invited to gather at Proko-Wall Funeral Home, 1630 E. Mason St., Friday May 8th, from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Parish Wake Service 7:00 p.m. Friday at the Funeral Home. Visitation will continue Saturday, May 9th, from 10:00-11:00 a.m. at St. Matthew Parish, 120 St. Matthew St.. Funeral Mass 11:00 a.m. Saturday at the church with Reverend Philip Dinh-Van-Thiep officiating. Online condolences may be expressed to Alfred's family at www.prokowall.com.
In lieu of floral expressions, Skinny would rather have you put your money back into your wallet.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to neighbor Rick Van Straten for all of his help over the years. They would also like to thank the staff of Unity Hospice, and to Dr. Blink for giving them additional years to spend with Alfred.
Thank you to all of the friends and relatives who touched his life throughout the years.
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1916 - 2015 (98 years)
