Dennis L. Sherman, 67, died March 14, 2004, at Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, following a brief illness. He was born Sept.17, 1936, in Geddes, S.D., to France W. and Marian (Dahl) Sherman.
Dennis spent much of his early childhood moving throughout the Midwest. His family traveled to Hastings, Neb., Rapid City, S.D. and Montevideo, Minn. They finally settled in Alexandria, Minn., where Dennis attended high school.
Dennis was very active in school, including membership in the National Honor Society, Key Club, Thespian Club, manager of both the football and basketball teams, a member of the baseball team and winner of the American Legion Award. He graduated as co-president of the graduating class of 1954.
Dennis attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in Rapid City, receiving his bachelors of science degree in general engineering. While in college, Dennis was a member of the ROTC program. Following college, Dennis served six months active duty with the U.S. Army at Fort Belvoir, Va. He was then transferred to Reserve Duty status, completing an additional seven years of military duty.
Dennis was married to Marilyn A. Carlson in Alexandria, Minn., on Dec. 28, 1957. In January of 1958, they moved to Ephrata, where Dennis worked for the Bureau of Reclamation. He eventually was employed at a Titan Missile Site in Moses Lake.
In June of 1961, Dennis and family moved to Everett where he began his career in land title. He worked for Land Title Company of Washington, Inc. Three years later, he moved his family to Oak Harbor and became the manager of Island County Title Company. As the business grew and branched out to other communities, the company name changed to Island Title Company.
Dennis and Marilyn worked together to expand the company into four counties. They also were instrumental in establishing offices in 17 communities throughout Washington, Idaho and Alaska. Dennis retired in 2000 as president of Island Title Company.
Dennis loved his family, playing golf, watching sports of all kinds and working in his yard. He enjoyed fishing, especially returning to the Midwest to fish with his brothers. He was an avid Mariners and Husky fan.
Dennis Sherman was a member of the Oak Harbor Lutheran Church. He was a past president and long- time member of the Oak Harbor Rotary Club, as well as a Paul Harris Fellow. He was also a member of the Whidbey Golf and Country Club and Oak Harbor Elks Lodge No. 2362.
Survivors include his wife Marilyn at the family home, Oak Harbor; four children and their spouses: Kristen and Carl Imhoff of Richland; John Sherman of Renton; Karen and Jeff Duncan of Eagan, Minn., and Lee and Cathy Sherman of Olympia. Eleven grandchildren, Daniel, Kurt and Robert Imhoff; Patrick Sherman; Sean, Katherine and Julia Duncan; and Braden, Kara, Kelsey and Kaitlyn Sherman also survive him.
Two sisters and their spouses, Judy and Jim Schoeneck of Detroit Lakes, Minn., and Pamela and Norty Blanchard of Burnsville, Minn., and two brothers and their spouses, Patrick and Glenda Sherman of Lake Nebagamon, Wis., and Michael and Becky Sherman of Fargo, N.D., and two aunts, Margaret McWilliams of Denver, Colo., and Margie Sherman of Sioux Falls, S.D., also survive.
Funeral services for Dennis Sherman will be held Friday, March 19, at 2 p.m., at Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, 1253 NW Second Ave., with Rev. Jerry Buss officiating. Graveside services will be at Sunnyside Cemetery, Sherman Road, Coupeville, Friday at noon. Visitation will be held at Burley Funeral Chapel, Oak Harbor, Thursday, March 18, from 2 to 8 p.m.
A reception for family and friends will follow the funeral services at the church fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Oak Harbor Lutheran Church, the Rotary Foundation, or a charity of your choice.
