Dennis Dean Gehring, 71, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on December 10, 2023 after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Born June 17, 1952 to Floyd and Jane Gehring of Moundridge, Kansas, he called Moundridge home most of his life. He moved to South Hutchinson and married Deborah J. (Hodges) in 2007.
In his early years, Dennis developed a great love for horses and was an avid rider. His skill set in understanding, connecting and training horses was epic and allowed him to produce a number of top-notch horses. His siblings benefitted greatly from the horses he trained. Dennis belonged to numerous saddle clubs where he earned many trophies for his riding skills. Keg bending, pole bending and pair sack racing were some of his favorites.
Moridge Manufacturing was Dennis’ main job for more than 40 years. The work he loved best was clerking for his dad’s business, Gehring Auction. His innate ability with numbers was evident. While most calculations were done with adding machines or calculators, Dennis mentally figured the number and wrote it down. It was a game for him to announce the total just before the machine tally was obtained.
Later in life, Dennis enjoyed shopping for antiques and purchasing the contents of storage units to hunt for treasures. He and Debbie also enjoyed shopping at estate sales where he was known for returning home with something for everyone.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Debbie, and brother-in-law, Robert Schoenecker.
Dennis is survived by step-daughters: Nichole Clary (Matthew) of South Hutchinson and Natalie Torrey (Caleb) of Saint George; granddaughters: Peyton Brand (Dustin) of Hutchinson, Katelyn McCullers (Sam), of Hutchinson, Clarissa Torrey, Vivian Torrey, and Ruby Torrey of Saint George; great-granddaughters: Windy Brand and Ivy McCullers of Hutchinson; brother: Dick Gehring (Kaylene) of Moundridge; sisters: Bonnie Voth (Don) of Newton and Peggy Schoenecker of Moundridge (Gary Plett of South Hutchinson); nephews: Brandon Nelson (Brittany Welch) of North Newton; Reese Gehring (Meghan) of Moundridge, Ross Gehring of Moundridge and Luke Schoenecker (Caylie) of Salina; nieces: Andrea Nelson of Kansas City, MO and Bobbi Jo Ireton (Matt) of Lee’s Summit, MO and numerous relatives and friends.
Family and friends are invited to gather on Saturday, December 30th from 4pm-6pm at Moundridge Funeral Home in Moundridge, KS for a Memorial Visitation to remember Dennis and all his antics. Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice House of Reno County or Gentiva Hospice of Hutchinson in care of Moundridge Funeral Home, PO Box 410, Moundridge, KS 67107.