Dennis Michael Duchek

Celebrating Life

Services:

Holy Rosary – Thursday @ 7pm

Funeral – Friday @ 10am, St. Mary’s

Luncheon – Immediately following the funeral, please note that all are welcome

Graveside Burial – Friday @ 2pm

Dennis was born in Vancouver, WA to Carl and Rose-Mary Duchek on July 1, 1946.  Shortly after, the family moved to Eastern Oregon to open the Pendleton Bakery with with Rose-Mary’s parents.  He attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Academy and then transitioned to Mt. Angel Seminary to finish his education.  In 1967 he joined the US Navy and served on the USS Niagara Falls during the Vietnam War.  Upon return to Pendleton he found employment at the East Oregonian Newspaper and remained a dedicated employee for 42 years.  He was a good and faithful servant.

Dennis had a strong faith and poured his energy into participating in the community at St. Mary’s.  As a child, he served as an altar boy there.  As an adult, he married his wife, oversaw the sacraments of his children, the marriage of his daughter, and said goodbye to his own parents in this special place.  He served as a fourth degree knight on the Knights of Columbus, eucharistic minister, taught CCD, and was the lecture coordinator for decades.  In the later years he volunteered at the St. Mary’s Outreach and participated in Adoration at all hours of the night.  He was a good and faithful servant.

Dennis was the definition of a dedicated husband, father, and friend.  He dove into each of these roles with militant responsibility and a tender heart at the same time.  He was always the driver or the chaperone and attended every one of the kid’s functions no matter how far away.  He was the workhorse and the man behind the scenes at all family events; he built bike trailers, loaded camp trailers, built beach fires, and never stopped working.   He was a quiet man who led his family by example, his exemplary life spoke more than words could have.  He was a good and faithful servant.

Dennis was a self taught and accomplished woodworker.  He spent his free time in his workshop, creating.  He built furniture for his family and frequently helped friends with household repairs.  

During the last three years of his life, Dennis experienced a slow and steady decline associated with his diagnosis of Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, a degenerative neurological disease.  Though he suffered the loss of mobility, speech, and the ability to swallow, he never once complained.  In fact, he teased the nurses and made them laugh as they cared for him.  He was a good and faithful servant.

He is survived by his wife Julie; Raymond, Chad, & Justin Duchek of Portland; Jody, Amy, Paige, Grace, & Avery Pitner of Pendleton; Ned, Emily, Eva, & Everett Greene of Portland; as well as the numerous nieces, nephews, and adopted grandchildren that loved him. 

In Lieu of flowers donations can be made to St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Pendleton. Obituary courtesy of Burns Mortuary of Pendleton.

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