February 14, 1941 – December 31, 2024

Dennis Clary Huffman of Winter Garden, Florida, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 31 at the age of 83.

He will be most remembered for his dry/wry humor, joy for life, and love for his family. Dennis was born in Neosho, Missouri to Garland and Margaret Huffman. He grew up on a dairy farm outside of Stark City, Missouri with his brother Jerry and sister Carolyn. Dennis graduated from Midway School as salutatorian of his class. Dennis attended the University of Missouri and graduated in 1964 with a degree in Microbiology.

It was at MU that he met his first wife, Evelyn Tomlin. They married in 1961 and had three children together: Susan, Michael, and Jennifer. Dennis's career in the dairy industry took the family all over the country, including Missouri, New York, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Dennis and Evelyn divorced after 19 years of marriage.

In 1983, Dennis met the love of his life, Priscilla (Buller) Kesting, in Menomonie, Wisconsin. They married in 1984, and Priscilla's sons Dwayne and David joined the family. Dennis and Priscilla were inseparable for the 40 years of their marriage. Their union was the epitome of deep and everlasting love. In retirement, they moved from Wisconsin to Florida, and enjoyed many happy years together, traveling, watching the Tampa Bay Rays play baseball, and playing rousing card games with family and friends. Dennis loved playing and watching golf, listening to Elvis Presley, working crossword puzzles, and reading John Grisham novels. If you happened to ask him how he was doing, he would tell you, "If I were any better, I couldn't stand myself!" Most of all, he loved spending time with his family and hearing about all the events in their daily lives.

Dennis is preceded in death by his father, Garland; mother, Margaret; and brother, Jerry.

He is survived by his wife, Priscilla; children: Susan Ornelas (Anselmo), Dwayne Kesting (Deb), Michael Huffman (Ellen Davis), David C. Kesting (Paula), and Jennifer Huffman (Paul Hodges).

He loved being a grandpa to his many grandchildren and great grandchildren, and he enjoyed treating them to a batch of homemade waffles, always cautioning that "there are six tablespoons of butter in this mix, so there's no need to spread any butter on top!"

Surviving grandchildren include Kristina Van Winkle (Luke), Erik Nanstad, Kaylie Ornelas, Kasey Kesting, David A. Kesting (Ericka), Nicholas Huffman, Zachary Huffman, Finnbar Hodges, and Graham Hodges. He is also survived by his sister Carolyn Sandtorf (Dave), and sister-in-law Mary Huffman, great grandchildren Roy, Makenna, and Mila Moon, and many other relatives and friends.

A Celebration of Life and burial take place in Wisconsin at a date to be determined. Donations in his
memory, if desired, can be made to the American Red Cross.