Diane Dennis

Diane Dennis grew up on her family farm in South Dakota. Growing up Diane did chores on the farm like getting cows and feeding the chickens, which was one of her least favorite chores. She also got to ride her prized horse, Smokey. She enjoyed playing softball, ring around the Rosie, and playing basketball. She even took ballet lessons. These lessons were paid for with delicious cream and eggs from her family’s farm.

In junior high school, Diane’s family moved to Rapid City, South Dakota where she would finish her junior high and high school years. She worked hard to receive a degree in business that would go on to help her in her later careers. One notable career is Diane’s work with the Forest Service. She worked business management and was part of fire management on fires around our area like a fire in Keystone, the Swedlund Fire, and the Hill City Fire. She also got to travel to many places because of her work.

Diane met the love of her life when she was 16. Gerald Dennis, who many of us lovingly know as, “Pee Wee”, was playing fiddle with Diane’s grandpa on the day they met. He was fresh out of the Air Force when they met. Gerald and Diane were married in 1961 and went on to have three children: Janie, Craig, and Wayne. Over the years, the family moved, “too many times to count.” Alaksa was one of Diane’s favorite places to live. Bear and moose would often stroll through their yard for a visit.

In 1972 the family moved to Custer and Diane said, “That’s it! We’re staying!” Our community has been blessed by this decision. Six years after Diane and her family moved to Custer, her husband started The Mountain Music Show. Pee Wee played the fiddle, told jokes, and brought smiles to countless patrons. Diane supported her husband by making sure the place was clean and that there was plenty of popcorn to be enjoyed. It is easy to see why Diane says Pee Wee was her biggest inspiration. The qualities she loved most about him were his kindness and lovingness. Diane also shares these same qualities.

Along with her work at the Forest Service, Diane has volunteered countless hours at the Custer hospital. She now takes her great-granddaughter with her to volunteer. She also helped start Custer All-Drug. She is on the board for the Custer County Museum and has invited the 4th grade classes for a field trip in the spring. Diane has accomplished many things in her life with love, kindness, and hard work. She is an exemplary example to all.

Now, let us tell you some of our favorite things we learned about Mrs. Dennis.
• She has traveled to all 50 states.
• She loved growing up with poodle skirts and sock hops.
• She loves lighthouses and has seen many on her travels to Maine, Oregon, Hawaii, and California.
• Her scariest adventure was a helicopter ride in Hawaii.
• She loves chocolate chip ice cream, card games, Buzz Light Year from Toy Story, hummingbirds, Elvis Presley, knitting and crocheting, and reading, especially with her great-granddaughter.

The most important thing we cherish about Diane is her advice to our generation, “Believe in yourself. Don’t let anyone make you feel less than you are. Don’t let anyone bully you. You are important.”

Thank you, Mrs. Dennis, for being an inspiration to our community.