Dennis A. Stainbrook

Dennis Allen Stainbrook was born on June 23, 1951 in Fairbury, Nebraska. He was the only son of Arthur A. Stainbrook and Gladys Pearl Stainbrook. His journey of faith started with his baptism at the United Methodist Church in Daykin where he continued his walk with Christ until the end.
Dennis started his education with grade school at Daykin Public School. He then attended and graduated from Meridian Public School in 1970 after consolidation.

Following graduation, Dennis worked for John Jarchow as a farmhand. He then took a job at the Farmers Coop in Daykin where he worked for many years. Prior to his retirement, Denny took a job for Endicott Clay Products in Endicott. Just like in every other aspect of his life, Denny gave it his all when it came to his work. He was a faithful employee who could always be counted on to do anything you asked of him. He worked up until his health would no longer allow him to continue.

Denny never swayed from the deep roots he planted in the small town community he was born and raised in. Being a part of a small town was one of the things that Denny enjoyed the most, supporting everything and everyone, not only in Daykin, but in the surrounding areas as well. Many week nights during the summer months you could catch Denny hanging out in his pickup watching the youth practicing or playing softball or legion baseball. There was rarely a Meridian school concert, play or graduation ceremony that Denny didn’t attend as well. While some years he would tell you “I don’t know too many of the kids out there anymore,” he loved to be a part of it and show his support. His 40+ years of Meridian Annuals are a true testament to the loyalty that he had to the high school that he graduated from and you can bet that you would see Denny every second weekend in June at the annual Meridian alumni banquet. In fact, one of Denny’s most prized possessions was from the alumni festivities, a trophy for the best shot during an alumni basketball game.

Faith in our Lord and Savior was a big part of Denny’s life. Denny attended the United Methodist church in Daykin where he never missed a Sunday morning service. Whenever something was needed in the church you could always count on Denny to volunteer his time and energy into it. He turned the heat up in the church every Sunday that it was needed the night before the service so people would be comfortable when arriving on Sunday morning. During the Christmas season each year, Denny put up the nativity scene in front of the church. He also devoted countless hours into keeping the church grounds looking their best by mowing and watering during the spring through fall months. It was always fun to see Denny out maneuvering his “pivots” in the perfect spots to cover the most ground that they could!

One of the things that brought the most joy to Denny was being a member of the Daykin Volunteer Fire Department. When that pager went off you could bet that Denny would be right there at the fire hall, ready to drive “his rig,” the 6 x 6 tanker, wherever it was needed. He loved helping people and being a part of the brotherhood that the fire department offered. The members were like family to Denny and he was so proud to be a part of it.
Denny had a love for pickups. Everyone that knew Denny knew how much pride he had in his own pickup truck. You could often find him talking to the local boys about his ride, taking notes on different things he wanted to add to it to make it even better. Denny loved racing as well. Many Friday and Saturday nights were spent at the Beatrice Motor Speedway and Jefferson County Speedway. He also enjoyed NASCAR and would be listening to it while cruising around in his truck or would be watching it on TV on Sunday afternoons. Denny also had a fascination with fireworks. Marv’s Fireworks stand won’t be the same without their annual purchase from Denny. He loved showing off his new Marv’s t-shirt every 4th of July!

After the Daykin’s 125th celebration in 2013 Denny couldn’t stop talking about the awesome fireworks display.
Denny was diagnosed with multiple forms of cancer on April 30. He moved from his apartment in Fairbury to Gardenside Nursing Home where the Lord called Denny to his heavenly home only three days after his diagnosis on Sunday, May 3, 2015.

Proceeding Dennis in death were his father, Arthur A. Stainbrook and mother, Gladys Pearl Stainbrook. He is survived by his uncles, Lawrence Workman and his wife Bonnie of Beatrice, Nebraska and Roy Workman of Wymore, Nebraska; several cousins; a host of neighbors and friends who will never forget what a truly wonderful person Denny was; and his best buddy, Barry Schweer of Daykin, Nebraska.

Services were Thursday, May 7, 2015, at 11:00 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Daykin, Ne, with Pastor Fay Hubbard officiating. Burial was in Eureka Cemetery, Daykin, NE. Memorials will go to the Daykin United Methodist Church or American Cancer Society. Gerdes-Meyer Funeral Home was Fairbury is in charge of arrangements.