Dennis Wollman

Dennis Wollman, 81, of Freeman passed away on August 25th at his residence in Freeman under hospice care. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, September 5th, at 2 pm at the Freeman Community Center.

Dennis “Denny” Wayne Wollman was born 12-28-1944 to Ervin and Marie (Stoebner) Wollman. Growing up in Freeman, Dennis remembers his summers as a pitcher and shortstop for his baseball team, fishing the Jim River, throwing bales for Gordy Gross, and participating in boy scouts with Dick Goertz and Dicks father Reuben. Dad thankfully shared with us that Roger Waltner was one of his best friends in grade school. Into high school, dad played basketball with his best buds Ray Schultz, Bob Schamber, Reno Huber and Gary Gullikson. Dennis also played Center on the Flyer Football team to Quarterback Rodney Roth. Along with sports, Dennis also loved everything about music in school and in church, taking part in many singing groups and solo competitions.

After high school, Dennis attended South Dakota State University and enrolled as a pharmacy student in 1962. While in college Dennis was also a part of multiple bands. The Quintones and Sound of Six performed around the Brookings Area. It was at one of his band performances that Dennis introduced himself to his future wife Carol Adams who was working at the Brookings Medical Clinic. Although there is still a debate about where they met, possibly Horatio’s, or one of the many clubs he and the band played at. We continue to suggest that mom was probably a “groupie”, but she denies this claim. Dennis and Carol were married on June 3rd, 1967, just prior to Dennis’s College Graduation on June 4th. On June 5th they began their journey to Racine, Wisconsin where Dennis accepted a position with Osco Drug. In 1970, they moved to Sioux City Iowa where Dennis managed the White Drug Plaza Pharmacy, and in 1972 they returned to Freeman to begin their own pharmacy business on main street. Eventually would move the business out to Highway 81 where they would serve the community as Wollman Merchandizing Mart until September 30th, 2003. This is where so many memories, relationships and friendships were created.

When Dennis and his family returned to Freeman, he also returned to opportunities for singing. Dennis teamed up with Leonard Wiens, brought together by Arlene Neufeld. They sang together for several years and recorded a gospel album, “Precious Moments”. Dennis also joined the Minnehaha Mandskor through the invitation of its conductor Terry Walter. Dennis also was a member of the Gospel Gold quartet with Kirk and Anita Preheim.

God has been exceedingly gracious to our family in numerous ways. Dennis’s relationship with Christ has been a foundation to his life and to our family. Dennis has been a lifelong member of the Bethlehem Reformed Church of Freeman his entire life where he was baptized March 18th, 1945, and held the office of elder numerous times, taught catechism and also headed several bible studies.

Dennis was a member of the Freeman Community Hospital Board where he served as President for thirty-four years. Being a hunter and fisherman, Dennis was also the President of the Turkey ridge Sportsman’s Club for several years.

Gardening and jelly making was also an important part of his life, enjoying the ability to give it away to many people. Dennis also enjoyed speeding time with Carol through their 59 years of marriage and taking many trips together to the Bahamas, Jamacia, Hawaii, both Costs and New England several times along with their Mission Trip to Ukraine. Dennis also wrote a book on his mission work to Ukraine, “I Wish I Had Given Him more”.

Carol and Dennis were blessed with 3 children. Shawn, born in Racine, Wisconsin. Shannon born in Sioux City, Iowa. Amanda born in Freeman. As a family they enjoyed camping, skiing, tubing and fishing. They also enjoyed their vacations together which included Disneyland and the West Coast.

Dennis left many impressions on his children. Shawn was guided on how to hunt, fish and garden, but the most important lesson Dad taught Shawn was to hold true to his faith and that we are saved by grace and mercy alone through Jesus Christ and not by works. Shannon and Amanda followed in their dad’s footsteps by playing the saxophone in high school. Shannon played his alto sax, while Amanda played his tenor. Shannon also became a pharmacist and shares his love of Boston Terriers. Shannon reminisces of many family camping and fishing trips with the Sorensen and Goertz families and a long and very fun trip in a beat-up camper to Oregon. As she grew, she saw dad’s priority and time shift towards sitting in his office reading and studying the Bible, leading Bible studies at church and increased time sharing the Gospel thru music. These things left a mark. Shannon hopes to continue his legacy. The Zeeb kids have fond memories of Grandpa Denny being worried about their safety, always making sure they were well taken care of. They remember his laugh and his continuous singing and whistling. They loved all the fishing and camping trips including Yogi Bear. Most of all they know how much he loved them and prayed for them. Amanda’s and Ervin’s fondest memories center around their time with dad in the garden, where he taught them that consistent love and care allow everything to reach its beautiful potential. Ervin cherished the times they spent making pickles together, and they both felt incredibly blessed by his constant, supportive presence at every event and milestone Ervin was involved in.

Dad enjoyed a life rich in countless friendships, an unwavering faith in Christ, and abounded love. He leaves a massive void in the lives of all of those who loved him so deeply, and we feel eternally blessed to have been a part of his life. We will never forget him and lovingly anticipate the day when we are reunited in Heaven.

Dennis is survived by his wife Carol and his children: Shawn (Brenda) Wollman, Shannon (Brian) Zeeb, Amanda Wollman (Fiancé Craig Anthony), and their grandchildren: Deni, Gracie, Broch, Bryant, Shawnie Zeeb, Ervin Schrock, and Charlie Rose.