Dennis E. Roush

Dennis E. Roush, 53, of Fort Atkinson, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Saturday, June 16, 2012. Dennis is survived by his mother Donna, brothers Steven (Betty) Roush, Jeffrey (Tanya) Roush, Brad (Shari) Roush and many nieces and nephews. Dennis is preceded in death by his father Richard Roush. Dennis loved Harley-Davidson's, tractors, fishing, sirens and malt shakes. He was a very happy person who always had a smile on his face and a hug ready for you. A celebration of Dennis' life will take place at Pagenkopf Funeral Home on Wednesday, June 20, 2012 at 5:00 PM. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 PM until the life celebration. In lieu of flowers please make donations to the Special Olympics or the March of Dimes. Gifts of Perfection from someone who was Perfection at its Finest – My Brother, Dennis Roush Truly, he was a better man than I am in so many ways and as I stand here now and hear the wonderful things spoken of him amongst our family and friends I know others feel the same as I do. Dennis was a wonderful teacher schooling us all in the most important life lessons Early on in my life he bestowed the lesson of humility and combined in that same lesson was an acceptance of those who are different from each of us. If you have enough time and look deep, you'll see that each and every one of us have a gift from God's basket of perfections that can be shared. You just need to discover that gift and use it and that is part of the joy of life's journey. It wasn't until later in my life when I started to see that Dennis's gifts were truly some of the most powerful: Tenacity – As children, I remember watching him as he would crawl across the floors and bare earth to keep up with us as we ran around the house or outside. Back then he had heavy leg braces and when he wasn't in his wheelchair he didn't think anything of pulling himself along using his elbows and strong arms. He built up the thickest callous pads on his elbows and knees. I don't think he felt any different from the rest of us kids and if he did he didn't show it in the least. I felt as if he shrugged off his immobility, and although sometimes he was left out of the normal things children do, it didn't stop him from simply laughing and screaming out delight with an amazing strength of spirit as he attempted to keep up with us. I didn't know it back then but see clearly now that Dennis has been one of my inspirations in life to never give up, to never let something get you down too long and to keep on laughing in the face of adversity. Joyous – Rejoice Ever-more!!!! Dennis taught me to find joy in the simple things that life provides. He extended joy with an ease and purity beyond anyone I have known. Though unfettered by the worries that seem to weigh many of us down as we proceed through life, he was still very sensitive to everyone's mood and he would set off to cheer you up. It was truly beautiful to behold. I didn't get the chance to see him as often as I would have liked and I could have certainly been a better brother in that regard. Each time I did get to see him, Dennis greeted me as if not a day had passed. His reception indicated there was no need for apology or atonement for my long lapse since last seeing him. He would light up the room with smile, and a laugh and he would signal with his arm, like this, to get my backside over to his chair. I would walk over and lean down and he would promptly wrap his arms around me in a loving bear hug. He would affectionately pat my back and head, while roaring out in joyous laughter. Then he would share his prized possessions and introduce me to his friends. Together we would marvel at whatever he shared since his sparkling spirit always revealed the wonder in each item or friend. Dennis found delight in the smallest of things. Seeing a Harley motorcycle drive by, or hearing a police siren go off. Although I was sad to leave him after each visit, I'd depart with the residue glow of his love and joy in my heart. Every time I drove down the road after a visit I couldn't help but crack into a big smile. What a magnificent gift! The simple act of family love, mixed with a hug and some roaring laughter now means more to me than the finest possession you could ever hope to possess. Innocence – The purity of his spirit is another gift Dennis shared with me. This gift from him was so clear, clean and soothing to my soul that it's hard to explain. It's something I shall always cherish as I have been unable to identify it easily in our world today except perhaps when I experienced it in the eyes and smells of my own new born children and grandchildren. All I know is that when I'm in the presence of his depth of innocence, I find a level of peace in my turmoiled mind and soul that is difficult to leave. I feel almost as if I am touching the very spirit of God and it stuns me. I take comfort today in hoping that when my time comes to part this earth, I'll be greeted by a perfect young angel in heaven. He'll walk, if not run up to me, tall, strong and confident. He'll hug me in a familiar bear hug with a laugh so loud the clouds will part, and I will hear his words for the first time and once again, I will thank continued... 1 2 3 Next ...continued him for all the gifts he has given me in life. Rest in peace Dennis, we shall all miss you so very much! Thank you for coming. On behalf of my family, I also want to thank the caregivers from Dennis's home and hospice for keeping him comfortable during this difficult time for him. A reading from Matthew 22:35 thru 40: Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. Throughout Dennis's life, he was never challenged to violate any of God's commandments, and in doing so, I believe that the second one had to be his favorite. He always had a hug for anyone, friend or stranger. If you happened to be a stranger, you'd find that loving hug to be incredibly surreal and genuine without conditions. His life was exemplary of the lyrics in John Lennon's beautiful song 'Imagine' which said: Imagine all the people Living life in peace You may say I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us and the world will be as one! Shortly after Dennis was born, mom and dad realized that Dennis was handicapped. If I was able to get into his head, I would surmise that he idolized his brothers, as he always wanted to crawl out of the house and be with us outside, doing the things that boys do. That had to be a sense of frustration for him, and was equally troublesome for my Mom and Dad as well! After some time, my parents knew that it would be in Dennis's best interest to move him to a home where he could have the attention and care that he needed. I can't begin to fathom the strength and courage that it took for mom and dad to make this life changing decision, but they knew that this would be best for him. The care he'd receive along with being around others with similar needs would be a blessing. He moved to Union Grove, a state facility for those with special needs. We would make a drive from Greendale on many Sunday's to go visit him. We'd always take him out for a gigantic vanilla malt, as that was the love of his life. Having him as a brother allowed me to gain tremendous insight into certain aspects of life, and made me aware of how blessed I was to have the abilities that God gave me. Dennis continually got moved around from home to home after the closing of the Union Grove facility, living with other adults of the same abilities. He grew close to Susan, Ryan, and other roommates. My mother and dad would frequently pick him up and bring him out for a visit. As excited as he'd be to come see us, at the end of the day his excitement was to return to what he knew as home, and what he considered to be his family. For many years I would visit prior to Christmas as Santa Claus. This brought excitement for all of the residents, and was a real pleasure for me. The neatest thing about it was I would get close to Dennis, and he'd look me in the eyes, reach for my beard to remove it, all along knowing it was me! He'd laugh in his loud boisterous laugh, his mouth as wide as a canyon. He came to our house in Ashippun, and enjoyed riding on the tractor. He loved seeing Brad pull up on his Harley, and would pinch his nose in a gesture of 'you stink' when a Honda motorcycle would go by. When Jeff came into town, Dennis displayed the strength of Hercules, hugging him and not letting go. Dennis participated in the Special Olympics, would go fishing, and on numerous trips to places with his family for fun. He was proud of his room, the many pictures on the wall, and the simplest things in life. He was unspoiled by money, fortune, or fame. There was no room for 'woe is me' in his life. No sin, no blasphemy, only purity. He was happy with everything he had, no matter how small. When we spent time with him, if for only 15 minutes, his smile and happiness lasted in our heart and minds forever. At Christmas or on his birthday, he'd find the utmost in pleasure of ripping open a present, one small piece of paper at a time, and he'd carefully hand it to you to dispose of. While loving the present, it was the idea behind it that gave him the most pleasure. A wrist watch and car keys by the dozen were his prized possessions. As time went on and technology gave us powered wheel chairs, he'd show off his new chair by doing donuts in the living room of his home, laughing loudly as he did, and he'd laugh even louder as you laughed with him! Dennis throughout his life gave more to me than I could ever return to him. His love was unconditional, his happiness guaranteed! His hugs were stronger than you'd think for someone of his small and thin stature. His heart was larger than life, and he had an incredibly smart mind. As I reflect back on him, he blessed me in so many ways. We all grew up with our childhood idols, and I had many such as Jack Nicklaus, Jerry West, Bart Starr, to name a few. Today, and forever, Dennis is my 'American Idol'. Jesus said: In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told continued... Previous 1 2 3 Next ...continued you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. Enjoy your new room Dennis, and someday I hope to be next door! Previous 1 2 3