Obituary for Dennis Keith Traviss
TRAVISS, DENNIS KEITH, age 76, of Mt. Pleasant, formerly of Mesick, passed away Monday, February 26, 2024, at Prestige Centre in Mt. Pleasant.
A Memorial Service for Dennis will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 350 Pearl Street, Cadillac, Michigan with Rev. Scott Torkko officiating. A light luncheon will be served immediately following the service. Interment of ashes will take place at Antioch Township Cemetery in Mesick MI. Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or The Alzheimer’s Association’s Michigan Chapter.
Dennis was born August 18, 1947, in Cadillac, Michigan, the son of Lloyd and Leona (Malmastrom) Traviss. He graduated from Cadillac High School with the class of 1965. While growing up, Dennis was always involved in sports starting with ice hockey, baseball, and basketball. In high school, he and his twin brother Dan excelled in tennis and football. After leading the Vikings to the North Central Conference Championship in 1964, Dennis earned a scholarship in football at Northern Michigan University. After two years, he went on to enlist in the U.S. Army where he served at Ft. Leonardwood, MO, Hanover, Germany, and Soctrang, Vietnam. With an early out, Dennis returned home, and with his bride, he resumed his studies at Northwestern Michigan College. He graduated from Central Michigan University with his bachelors degree. Dennis worked for Manton Public Schools serving in various capacities; he was the community education director, defensive line football coach, and transportation supervisor. With sports still in his blood, Dennis coached the Manton Varsity Football team for 14 years and helped the Rangers win the North Central Michigan Conference title in 1990. He retired as school administrator in 2005. Through his years serving in education, Dennis was a wonderful mentor to his students and athletes. His greatest love was his family; he loved time spent with them and always there with an open door for anyone. He was the patriarch of the family; organizing extended family gatherings throughout the years was so important to him. In retirement, Dennis found enjoyment fulfilling his father’s dream of creating a golf course on the family property, building a retirement home, and for a few years he became a goat farmer. As his grandchildren grew, he helped teach them golf and could often be found hitting the links, surrounded by family, love, and joy.
Dennis is survived by his son Greg (Heather) Traviss of Mt. Pleasant; daughter Rebecca (Hans) Andersen of Cadillac; grandchildren Ethan, Isaac, Aubrey, and Owen Traviss, Andrew and Collin Jewett, Hans Andersen, Jr., Shaylea and Cohen Pollington; great-grandson Layton Jewett; sisters Pamela (Roger) Powell, Marsha (Douglas) Lorenz of Henderson, NV; and many nieces and nephews.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and twin brother Daniel Traviss.
A Memorial Service for Dennis will take place on Saturday, April 20, 2024, at 11 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 350 Pearl Street, Cadillac, Michigan with Rev. Scott Torkko officiating. A light luncheon will be served immediately following the service. Interment of ashes will take place at Antioch Township Cemetery in Mesick MI. Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project or The Alzheimer’s Association’s Michigan Chapter.
Dennis was born August 18, 1947, in Cadillac, Michigan, the son of Lloyd and Leona (Malmastrom) Traviss. He graduated from Cadillac High School with the class of 1965. While growing up, Dennis was always involved in sports starting with ice hockey, baseball, and basketball. In high school, he and his twin brother Dan excelled in tennis and football. After leading the Vikings to the North Central Conference Championship in 1964, Dennis earned a scholarship in football at Northern Michigan University. After two years, he went on to enlist in the U.S. Army where he served at Ft. Leonardwood, MO, Hanover, Germany, and Soctrang, Vietnam. With an early out, Dennis returned home, and with his bride, he resumed his studies at Northwestern Michigan College. He graduated from Central Michigan University with his bachelors degree. Dennis worked for Manton Public Schools serving in various capacities; he was the community education director, defensive line football coach, and transportation supervisor. With sports still in his blood, Dennis coached the Manton Varsity Football team for 14 years and helped the Rangers win the North Central Michigan Conference title in 1990. He retired as school administrator in 2005. Through his years serving in education, Dennis was a wonderful mentor to his students and athletes. His greatest love was his family; he loved time spent with them and always there with an open door for anyone. He was the patriarch of the family; organizing extended family gatherings throughout the years was so important to him. In retirement, Dennis found enjoyment fulfilling his father’s dream of creating a golf course on the family property, building a retirement home, and for a few years he became a goat farmer. As his grandchildren grew, he helped teach them golf and could often be found hitting the links, surrounded by family, love, and joy.
Dennis is survived by his son Greg (Heather) Traviss of Mt. Pleasant; daughter Rebecca (Hans) Andersen of Cadillac; grandchildren Ethan, Isaac, Aubrey, and Owen Traviss, Andrew and Collin Jewett, Hans Andersen, Jr., Shaylea and Cohen Pollington; great-grandson Layton Jewett; sisters Pamela (Roger) Powell, Marsha (Douglas) Lorenz of Henderson, NV; and many nieces and nephews.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; wife; and twin brother Daniel Traviss.