Dennis Vettrus

Dennis Vettrus died peacefully at Riverbend Hospital on September 15, 2024, after a brief illness and hospital stay. Family, countless friends, and acquaintances knew him as a kind and gentle-spirited man with a twinkle in his Norwegian blue eyes. Dennis had a wonderful sense of humor and an easy laugh. He was unassuming and always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and neighbors.

Dennis was born in Rugby, North Dakota, on April 10, 1934, to John and Nora Vettrus. Much to the surprise of the doctors and his parents, 20 minutes later, his twin brother Dean was born. The Vettrus family lived on a farm near Rolette, North Dakota, along with older brother Paul, and were later joined by younger brother Jerry and sister Evelyn. There were several uncles, aunts, and cousins living in that rural community and the town of Rolette. Sundays were marked by church in Rolette, followed by dinner with relatives and long afternoons of playtime with cousins, while the grownups visited over cups of Norwegian coffee and cookies. Then it was home to do farm chores before bedtime. This pattern of his life, faith, family, and friends—was set early in Dennis's life and continued throughout his 90 years.

In the mid-1940s, the family moved to Southern California, in the Southgate area near other relatives. Two years later, having heard of Norwegian communities in the Willamette Valley in Oregon, the family moved and settled on a farm in the Turner area, outside Salem. Dennis and Dean were hardworking and industrious,teens but also fun-loving, social, and mischievous! Again, church and youth groups, in addition to attending Cascade Union High School and working part-time at restaurants, kept them very busy. They graduated in 1952 and soon after enlisted in the Navy. Their mother, wanting her twins to be together, requested that they be assigned to the same ship. They spent four years aboard the USS Montrose, both specializing in food service and feeding the troops and Navy officers. Because of their experience in food service, after being discharged in 1957, they enrolled at the University of Denver. While in college, Dennis and Dean both sang in the University of Denver Concert Choir as well as being active in the Lutheran Student Association. They graduated in 1961 with degrees in Business Administration, specializing in Hotel and Restaurant Management.

After graduating, Dennis was hired as Student Union Director at Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana. He quickly made friends and enjoyed his time there; however, the Willamette Valley beckoned. In 1963 he was hired as Assistant Director of Housing at the University of Oregon. Work was fulfilling as well as challenging. His friendly, congenial personality made him a favorite with other staff, and lifelong friendships were made.

Dennis soon joined Central Lutheran Church and their choir, and, not coincidentally, church dinners and the kitchen were part of his many activities. He was also involved with campus ministry and the development of Christus House for Christian student living. In the summer of 1965, Dennis accompanied the Knebel, Jacobson, and Chamness families to Holden Village in the Washington Cascades. It was there he met a Minnesota school teacher, Norma Tweeton. It was a week of hiking, fishing, huckleberry picking, and worship opportunities. After a year of letter writing, phone calls, and a visit to Minnesota, Norma moved to Junction City in 1966 to teach school. The three Central families, particularly Helen Knebel, encouraged Dennis to "marry that Minnesota girl". So Dennis and Norma were married on Sunday, August 6, 1967, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Moorhead, Minnesota.

A few years later in 1969, "B.C." (before children), Dennis and Norma traveled to Europe for six weeks. The last two weeks were in Norway, visiting ancestral homes and furthering interest in their shared cultural heritage. They were involved with Sonja Lodge, and Dennis later sang with the Norseman. It was no surprise that in later years their children all enjoyed Lutefisk, Norwegian meatballs, and making and eating lefse.

Dennis' greatest joy was his children, Matthew, Sarah, Ruth, and Rachel. As a handyman, Mr. Fixit, and all-around do-it-yourself person, he built a large deck for their playtime. This was a small replica of a North Dakota hip-roof barn complete with a rope ladder to the loft and resulted in many hours of fun. Their family life was filled with joy, challenges, and numerous activities of church, school, and community. Favorite memories were the many trips in their Winnebago, often in the summer to Minnesota to visit grandparents, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins, and the lakes. Dennis and Norma's home was always welcoming. Later as adults, Dennis was still the supportive dad, cheering them on, sharing his gentle wisdom, and always witnessing to his firm faith in God.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Norma; son, Matthew (Kim); daughters, Sarah, Ruth, and Rachel; grandsons, Marcus (Hannah) and Mario (Sharamae); sister-in-law, Phyllis Vettrus; and numerous nephews, nieces, and extended family members. He is predeceased by his parents; brothers, Paul, Dean, and Jerry; and sister, Evelyn.