Dennis M. Preister, 69, of Marne, Iowa, passed away Sunday, November 29, 2020, at his home in Marne.
Dennis was born April 21, 1951, in West Point, NE, to Mark and Deloris (Block) Preister. He was raised in Omaha, NE, the oldest of five siblings. After graduating high school, he entered the Air Force in 1970 as an Air Cargo Specialist obtaining the rank of Sgt. While stationed in South Carolina, he met and married Carole Miller. After being stationed in Guam they returned and had one daughter, Alysa (Lisa). After a mutual separation they remained good friends. He later remarried and had one son, Ryan. Dennis and Ryan traveled to Oregon where he met and later married Tracey Roberts. Through this marriage he gained a stepdaughter, Heather. They moved to Harlan, IA in 1990 where Dennis drove semi for many years before buying the Marne bar, which he and his brother Wayne named the Roadhouse. Dennis and Tracey moved to Marne in 2005 where they operated the bar until August of 2020.
He was a devoted husband and father. He cherished all his grandchildren dearly. His favorite weekly activity was going to Harlan on Sundays to visit the grandkids! His favorite travels were to Tennessee to visit close friends and South Carolina to see his daughter. Dennis was an active member of the Abate of Iowa where he was District 3 Coordinator for many years. This is where he obtained the nick name “Long Hair”. He enjoyed long rides on his Harley and feeling the sun on his face and wind in his hair.
After a long, hard fought battle with cancer, Dennis died November 29, 2020, at his home in Marne, surrounded by his loving family.
In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his sister Sharon (Rick) Christianson.
He is survived by his wife, Tracey Preister of Marne, IA; his daughter, Lisa (Patrick) Clark, Dorchester, SC; son, Ryan Preister, Atlantic, IA; daughter, Heather (Jacob) Bruck, Harlan, IA; siblings, Jim Preister, Omaha, NE; Susan (Tom) Holmes, Omaha, NE; Wayne (Linda Redler) Preister, Marne, IA; grandchildren Aaron Clark of Dorchester, SC; Abraham, Audrie, Jack and Miles Bruck of Harlan, IA; nieces, nephews, other family and many friends.
A celebration of life ceremony will be announced at a later date.
Hockenberry Family Care in Atlantic, Iowa, is in charge of arrangements.
