Dennis Dean Schoenefeld was born in Burke, SD on October 1, 1944, to Alvin and Vera (Sieh) Schoenefeld. He grew up on the family farm seven miles west of Naper. Dennis attended country school through 8th grade. He graduated from Naper High School in 1962. Immediately following High School, Dennis worked as a ranch hand for a brief time. Thereafter, he stayed in Omaha while attending barber school earning his barber’s license in 1966.

Dennis married Mary Reber on February 25, 1968 at First Congregational United Church of Christ at Naper, NE. To this union four children were born. They made their home in Butte, NE. Dennis passed away May 18, 2026 at Country House in Grand Island surrounded by his family.

Dennis was a licensed barber for over 50 years. He worked hard to provide for his family often holding a variety of jobs in addition to his work at the barbershop. He was Civil Defense Director for 2 years. Dennis & Mary operated the first Boyd County Ambulance for 2 years (1973-1975). Dennis was the manager of the Butte Farm Supply for 3 ½ years and after that he returned to barbering and started part time work at the Butte Post Office. In January of 1997 he was appointed Butte Postmaster and retired from the USPS in January 2010.

Dennis was a member of the Butte Immanuel Lutheran Church, holding several different offices over the years and helping with many of the activities. Dennis served on the Board of Directors of the Twin Butte Villa. He was an active member of the Butte Volunteer Fire Department for over 35 years and an active supporter of school, church, and community activities.

Dennis was a deer hunter. There are many hunting stories through the years and most of them are true! He loved a game of pitch, and often found himself on the winning side. Anyone was lucky to be grandpa’s pitch partner! He played many rounds of checkers with all of his children, never losing a match. Dennis enjoyed camping. We all have wonderful memories of camping and boating at the Missouri river and Calamus together. He had a love for music, always whistling and singing along with the country and gospel music that was playing in the background. He loved spending time with his family, celebrating birthdays and holidays together, cheering for his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their activities, and watching the Huskers. We will miss his sense of humor and ornery ways, but will forever hold him in our hearts.

Dennis is survived by wife Mary Schoenefeld of Butte; daughter Corina Raasch of Grand Island, son Troy Schoenefeld of Shelton, and daughter Amanda (Justin) Goodwin of Grand Island; grandchildren Ty (Jordan) Schoenefeld, Mitch Raasch, Kyle Raasch (Megan Johnson), Lilly Goodwin, Griffin Goodwin, and Layla Goodwin; great grandchildren Brinley Schoenefeld and Sawyer Schoenefeld; brother Dale (Sara) Schoenefeld of Tulsa, OK; sisters-in-law Barb Schoenefeld of Burke, SD and Myra Reis of Burke, SD; brothers-in-law Ken Stoltenberg of Atkinson, NE, Dale Reber of Burke, SD, and Donn (Kathy) Reber of Gregory, SD; along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents Alvin & Vera Schoenefeld, in-laws Milo & Lovera Reber, son Lance Scot, brother Wayne Schoenefeld, sister Shirley Stoltenberg, brother-in-law Nilo Reber, and son-in-law Dan Raasch.

In lieu of flowers memorials can be directed to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Butte or Butte Volunteer Fire Department.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in Butte, Nebraska. Burial will be in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery, Butte. A visitation will be held from 9 AM until 11AM Wednesday at the church.