Dennis Reber

Dennis R Reber passed away peacefully at home in St George, Utah on 1 September 2021at age 87. Dennis was born 23 March 1934 in St George, Utah.  He was the oldest son of Ralston V. and Myrtle Jensen Reber of Mesquite, Nevada.

In 1957 he met his sweetheart Jacqueline Howard (Lynn) and were married in the Los Angeles Temple in May 1958. They were married 63 amazing years and had 10 children. He leaves behind his wife Lynn, five daughters, Robin Sanderson (Dan), Denise Larsen (Rance), Ranelle Reber, Rachelle Reber and Katie Soli as well as four sons Ben H.(Linda), Samuel Rex (Michelle), Ryan Jac (Shannon), and John Kyle (Sonja).  He has 38 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

Dennis grew up in Mesquite, Nevada and graduated from Virgin Valley High School in 1952. He participated in many extra-curricular activities including student government, basketball, football. drama, FFA, band, chorus and performing at student assemblies.

He attended Dixie Jr College on a football scholarship, participated in Lambda Delta Sigma as its President, and drama productions. He graduated in 1954 with an Associate degree.

From 1954 to 1956 he served a successful mission in the Eastern States Mission. Upon returning home he attended BYU.  He worked for the BYU Creamery and taught Dance Classes as well as participated in the International Folk Dance Club.

In 1957 he joined the Army National Guard and served 6 years in a Military Police unit.

Dennis was a lifelong learner and often mentioned that he had attended several different colleges or universities where he obtained a BS degree in Psychology, Life Science and Physical Science.  He also obtained a Masters Degree in Botany.  He loved studying the scriptures which he read daily

He taught Biology in Santa Cruz, California prior to accepting an offer to teach science at the Church College of Western Samoa in 1968.  In 1974 the family returned to the United States and moved to Sutherlin, Oregon where they stayed for the next 44 years.  He taught high school Biology in Drain, and Sutherlin Oregon. Wherever Dennis taught, he loved his students and was loved by them.  He later became Athletic Director and Assistant Principal at Sutherlin High School. Even as the school disciplinarian he was loved and respected.

In 2018 Lynn and Dennis sold their home in Oregon and moved to St George, Utah.

Dennis served in many church callings:  two Wards as Bishop's Counselor, Bishop of two different Wards, on two Stake High Councils, first counselor to a Stake President, then as Stake Patriarch where he served for nearly 20 years and gave over 500 blessings.

Dennis and wife Lynn served a senior couple mission from 2001 to 2003 in the Senior Missionary office in Salt Lake City, Utah and another mission to the Australia/New Zealand Area office in Sydney Australia from 2003 to 2005.

The years between 1934 and 2021 were filled with love of family and the Lord.  He was an influence for good wherever he lived.  His testimony of the Gospel of Christ unwavering.  Dennis loved his family and spent his retirement years working on family history, attending the temple, and compiling histories to be passed down to those who came after him.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, daughter Kristen Myler, her husband Darryl, brother Glendon J Reber, brother-in-law Kenley Reese, granddaughters Emily Reber and Sheridan Larsen. He is survived by siblings Darlene Reese, Samuel Reber(Pat), Grant(Kathe), Mary Andrus(James) , Helen Bunnell(Wayne), and Glendon's wife Marlene.

Celebration of his life will be held Saturday, September 11, 2021 at 11:00am at in the St George Stake Center at 591 West 500 North, St. George, Utah 84770. The celebration can be viewed live-stream by clinking on the link below.  Military honors will follow the service. A grave side ceremony and burial in Mesquite, Nevada will be held in November 2021.