We Remember
WEIDMAN, Dennis Allan
January 24, 1941 — March 17, 2023
Dennis Allan Weidman was a man with a great laugh and a zest for life who loved his friends and family well. He was welcomed into Heaven on March 17, 2023, after complications from a heart attack and stroke.
Dennis was born to Henry and Helen Weidman in Olds, Alberta. He had five cherished older siblings: Vernon/Doris, Melvin/Gladys, Delores/Richard, Gordon/Joyce, and Rosemary/Gordon. When he was sixteen, employment at the local butcher shop resulted in the loss of his fingers on his right hand. His positivity overcame the disability, and it often became the source of a chuckle and conversation. After high school, he was employed by Honeywell (helped with the construction of the Calgary Tower), and met a pretty nursing school graduate named Arlene Vikse, whom he quickly asked to marry. They bought their first home together in Calgary and soon welcomed their two children, Lynnette and Randy. After a short transfer to Edmonton, Dennis was then transferred to Vancouver, where the family made many cherished friends through church and neighbourhood connections. Family vacations were spent camping and touring throughout the western provinces and states until the skiing bug bit, and he built a family cabin at Mt. Baker; friends and family gathered all year round to enjoy the beauty of the area and the amazing Weidman hospitality.
After 28 years of employment at Honeywell, Dennis took a management position in Building Services at BC Building Corporation, where he designed many money-saving projects in the court offices and buildings in downtown Vancouver. If you have ever skated in the rink there, you can thank Dennis for this! Dennis was a recreational hockey player and continued to play in a drop-in league until reaching his 70s.
Dennis and Arlene then decided to move to Kelowna. They spent a very cold year and a half building their beautiful home overlooking the lake. They welcomed beloved grandchildren into their lives, Nolan, Andrew, Bethany, and Kyle, helping with homework, projects, and attending many concerts and sporting events. Dennis also took on various woodworking projects, including building the Chancellor’s Chair and other specialty pieces for the University of British Columbia Okanagan. They were able to travel extensively, including several winters in Arizona, and trips/cruises to Australia, Panama, and Europe. One of Dennis’ dreams was to own an antique car. His purchase of a 1965 Thunderbird also led them to join a Thunderbird Car Club, which brought him much joy with the friendships established there.
If something needed to be fixed, Dennis would figure it out, no matter how difficult the challenge. He single-handedly placed every stone in every stone wall on their property, hand mixed and poured cement for all their concrete work and setup every timer. While he loved spending time outdoors, hiking, camping, and travelling, he was also extremely competent with computers and paperwork. Many woodworking or renovation projects are evident in his and his family and friends’ homes. This last year, he even turned his efforts towards the culinary arts, creating a special meal for Arlene every Sunday.
Dennis’s prayers always expressed faith in God’s goodness and gratitude for his blessings in life. He taught his children and grandchildren to have faith, think critically, be kind, and work hard, using resources wisely. He dearly loved his wife Arlene and the life they had made together, laughing often, and giving generously his time and resources to help others. He will be greatly missed until we meet him again in Heaven.
Dennis leaves behind his beloved wife of 58 years, Arlene; his daughter Lynnette and Dwight Field; and son Randy and Deanna Weidman; as well as grandchildren Nolan & Grace Weidman, Andrew & Madeline Field, Bethany Weidman, and Kyle Field; along with great-grandchildren Kenzie and 2 more baby boys due early this summer. He was preceded in death by his parents, and siblings Vernon/Doris, Melvin, Delores, Gordon and his first wife Leona, along with many other friends and family.
The Celebration of Life service will be held on FRIDAY, MAY 5, 2023, at 1:30 PM (PST), at GRACE BAPTIST CHURCH, 1150 Glenmore Dr. Kelowna, BC. If you are unable to attend in person, please join the family online by Livestream at the time of the service (see below), a recording will be made available to view shortly thereafter.
If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.
Ah, Dennis! A wonderful friend and neighbour in Richmond days!
A man with an outgoing personality and a highly infectious laugh! I have extremely loving memories on a great guy!
I was introduced to Dennis in 2005. Having been given the task of finding a Ceremonial Lectern for Okanagan College. This happened following the announcement that UBC was moving onto the North Kelowna campus and Okanagan University College (OUC) was changing its name. I was introduced to Dennis by a fellow College Contractor and so followed a period of brief visits to His Shop and many discussions as the new Ceremonial Lectern began to take shape. Dennis had such a mellow personality, respectful of the process, very pleasant to engage in conversation. May he rest in peace.
My love and prayers as you begin this journey without husband, father and grandfather. Treasure the love and good times you had together. Gods comfort and peace ❤️🙏
We express our deepest condolences to Arlene and family. We met Dennis & Arlene in Gold Canyon Arizona. We immensely enjoyed the time we spent with them biking, hiking, and the happy hours.
My wife and I are so sorry for the loss of our friend Dennis. We met Dennis and Arlene at Gold Canyon RV and Golf Resort. I laughed reading the memorial as I recalled meeting him for the first time and his making a joke about his lost fingers. We hiked, and biked together for several years while at Gold Canyon and shared a glass of wine or two in the evenings. He was exactly like his memorial and we had many a chat about work, hiking, and fixing things. I attached a picture of Dennis and Arlene at Saguaro Lake from 2016 and it brought back a flood of good memories. He was so young at heart!! I remember Thinking to myself – I should be more like Dennis. His Gold Canyon friends continued to ask about him he will be greatly missed by everyone at Gold Canyon. We are very sorry for your loss.
An incredibly honouring service to both Dennis and our God. Our hearts and prayers will continue to be with you all.
I remember all the fun times with Uncle Dennis and Auntie Arlene. I remember going to their place when I was young and having Uncle Dennis gallop across the table with his hand. It was mainly funny with a bit of scariness thrown in but I always loved it. I am going to miss his beautiful smile and generous warm ways. I know he is up in heaven with my mom and dad and my brothers looking down at us. I know he is at peace and I wish peace to his family.