Joan Gertrude Dennis, 70, of Lincoln City, Ore., died Nov. 11, 2009 in Lincoln City.

She was born April 9, 1939 to Everett and Gertrude Kraus in Rensselaer, N.Y.

While working for the New York State Thruway Authority, she met John Dennis. The two were later married July 25, 1987. After retiring in 1994, the couple moved to Lincoln City, where they were active members of the community. She devoted her retirement to making a difference as a volunteer.

She was on the board of the Samaritan North Lincoln Hospital Auxiliary and managed the hospital gift shop for more than 10 years. She recently received an award for serving more than 10,000 volunteer hours.

She was also affiliated with the Elks BPOE No. 1886 and the Rebekah’s Sea Foam Lodge/Odd Fellows in Lincoln City, as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution. Her love of reading led to a position on the board for Friends of the Driftwood Library.

She was a longtime member of the Oceanlake Emblem Club No. 262. When she served as president of the club, she chose the lighthouse as her symbol. She believed lighthouses stood majestic to light the way for others.

She was also the Americanism chairman for the Emblem Club and never tired of supporting those who serve our country. Her veteran projects included sending care packages overseas to decorating gravesites on memorial holidays, as well as many other projects.

She will continue to give by donating the gift of her sight to another.

She loved life, her family, her community and her church.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Everett and Gertrude Kraus, son Joseph Reinhart, daughter Valerie Reinhart and brother Everett Kraus Jr.

She is survived by her husband, John Dennis; daughters, Christine Reinhart and Kathleen Reinhart; son Randy (Keli) Mallette; sister Joyce Henry; grandchildren, Michael, Joann, Michelle, Jennifer, Melissa and Marley Jane; and 11 great-grandchildren.

Visitations will be from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday at Chapel-by-the-Sea Presbyterian Church, 2125 SE Lee Ave. in Lincoln City. A memorial service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, followed by a graveside committal service at 1 p.m. at Taft Pioneer Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Chapel-by-the-Sea Endowment Fund, P.O. Box 25, Lincoln City, OR 97367. An online guestbook is available at www.pacificviewmemorialchapel.com.

Pacific View Memorial Chapel in Lincoln City is handling arrangements.



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