Asta Dennison

ASTA MARIE DENNISON Asta Marie Dennison passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2013, at 10:15 A.M. in the home of her son Bill and his wife Claudine, where she had been under Hospice care for several weeks. She suffered from Alzheimer’s Dementia. Her condition rapidly declined since we celebrated her 83rd birthday on December 3. Since moving in with Bill and Claudine in October, Claudine devoted many days and hours to her care and comfort. The family will always be grateful to Claudine for her loving care. Asta was born on December 3, 1930 in Bremerhaven, Germany to parents August Wilkens and Sophie (Schultz) Wilkens who preceded her in death. She was also preceded in death by her brother Egon, stepmother, Veronica Wilkens, nephew Dieter Kopzog and her beloved husband of 57 years, Bob. She married Robert E. (Bob) Dennison December 3, 1950. They met in Bremerhaven where he was a soldier serving with the US Army. Returning to the US in 1951 they settled in Bob’s hometown of Columbus before moving to Holland, Ohio in 1955. She is survived by sons, Robert A. Dennison of Swanton, William E. (Claudine) Dennison of Whitehouse, Donald D. Dennison of Santa Rosa, California, and Shirley (Michael) Michalak of Toledo. She is survived by seven grandchildren and four great grandchildren. She was a loving and caring mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Asta was a talented seamstress and made many dozens of dresses for friends, neighbors and relatives. She excelled at knitting and crocheting. She was a great lover of birds especially her favorite, Cardinals. She loved flowers and throughout her life cultivated them both inside and outside. After her children were of school age, she worked at Hudson’s Department store in Toledo managing the lamp and lighting department. In 1975, Bob received an offer for a civil service position in Frankfort, Germany. They moved there along with their youngest son Donald and daughter Shirley in November 1975 and continued to live and work in several cities in Germany before retiring in 1990 and returning to the US. They were posted in Frankfort, Munich, Stuttgart, Nuremburg and Bremerhaven. During their residence in Germany, Asta had the chance to reconnect with family and friends from her childhood as well as making many new friends. During this time she and her husband, Bob, had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout Europe visiting Rome, Copenhagen, London, Paris and many other locations. They also delighted in hosting many visitors from the US and escorting them on tours to European destinations. Among the visitors was her best friend of over 50 years, Verlia (sis) and her husband Glenn Vogelsong. Asta worked at a US Military hospital as a medical records clerk, winning many awards for her skills and dedicated service. Upon retirement, they moved back to Ohio where she and Bob lived for several years in Swanton before moving to Holland, Ohio, where she continued to live until she became ill. In their retirement years, Asta and Bob were active members in the Tuetonia Mannerchor and Dammenchor and enjoyed traveling and performing with the singing groups and attending the German American Festivals and many events held at the GAF. They enjoyed many enduring friendships among the local German American community. She is also survived by her sister, Renate (Kalle) Kopzog, nephews, Jens (Breatta) Kopzog of Bremerhaven and Werner (Ingrid) Kopzog of Heidelberg, Germany. The family offers our sincere thanks to Jeannie and Paul Ruttle, who cared for her from April 2012 until she moved to Whitehouse. Then not only cared for Asta but became our dear friends. We also thank the staff of Gentiva Hospice for their care of Asta, especially her primary care nurse, Jason, who did a remarkable job with his responsive and compassionate care. Our thanks to Care Link Nursing Service for their help with Mom’s care, especially her primary aid Heather, who provided excellent care for her during her residence with Bill and Claudine Dennison. Friends and family will be received in the Neville Funeral Home, 7438 Airport Highway, Holland (419-865-8879) from 2-8 pm Saturday January 4, 2014 where funeral services will be held at 10 am on Sunday January 5, 2014 with Chaplain Chris Roper officiating. Burial will follow at Whitehouse Cemetery. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider Gentiva Hospice. Online condolences may be made to the family at nevillefuneralhome.com.