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Dennis Roy Dellere
- Lucas Kenney
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
February 26, 1972 — May 30, 2026
Colby, Kansas
Dennis Roy Dellere, 54, of Colby, died Saturday, May 30, 2026, in Wichita, KS. He was born February 26, 1972, in Colby KS, to Alvin Dellere and Lois (Towns) Struckmeyer. Dennis graduated from Colby High School in 1990 and Fort Hays State University in 1995, with a bachelor’s degree in business. Dennis began his career with Walmart at the age of 16 in Colby. After graduating they took him to Russellville, Arkansas and Birch Tree, Missouri, before ultimately bringing him out to Las Vegas, Nevada. There he served in manager rolls for several stores in the Las Vegas area. He spent more than 30 years in Las Vegas before returning to Colby.
In Las Vegas Dennis met Kimberly and her three children. Two more followed shortly after and this family became his whole world. His children remember their dad’s cooking, love of the water – whether they were in the boat, fishing, or just hiking through the desert to find a stream, and his devotion to KU basketball converting all his children and taking them to games whenever they made it out to Las Vegas. He was passionate about coaching his kids in football when they were young and supported their dreams with pride, celebrating the adults they have become.
Dennis was a creator, an artist, and a visionary. He learned woodworking from his grandfather at a young age and carried that skill throughout his life. If he could imagine it, he could build it. Making unique beds and a barn closet, each piece unmistakably his own. That gift for seeing what others needed—often before they knew it themselves—was simply who he was, and it showed up long before the workshop. As a boy, he was always building something: forts along the creek, tunnels through snowbanks, and the occasional indoor structure that taught him, the hard way, not to prop blankets on bare light fixtures. That same inventive, mischievous spirit followed him through life. He led his siblings into misadventures as a child, and in later years, he channeled that energy into card games—especially relishing the moments he won. He played tennis with his sister in his younger years, took up frisbee golf in college and never let it go, and after returning to Colby, threw himself into pickleball with characteristic determination. Colby also gave him something he treasured deeply: time with his parents, and the chance to be present for them. He was his mother’s “Sunshine” and his dad’s helper.
Known to some as “Del-Ray,” Dennis maintained lifelong friendships with his high school and college friends—relationships that distance and time never diminished. He treasured their card games, frisbee golf outings, fishing trips, and time spent together.
His sense of adventure took him further: scuba certified and diving reefs in the Philippines, wandering through Italy, exploring Mexico. He was ornery, mischievous, and often kept people guessing as to whether he was serious. He was deeply loved and will be profoundly missed. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Paul and Mathilde Dellere, Lawrence Towns, Paul and Wilma Pabst; his infant sister, Deanna Dellere, his niece Grace Stramel, and his grandson Damien Knight. He is survived by his five children, Victoria Knight, Michael Knight, Erica Knight, and Jared Dellere, Las Vegas, NV, and Emily Knight, Wichita, KS; grandchildren, Maurice, Izzy, Aydin, and Ty. His parents Alvin Dellere and Lois (Larry) Struckmeyer of Colby; his siblings, Diana Dellere of Wichita, Doug Dellere (Ronda) of Morres Hill, Indiana, and Debbie (Tyler) Stramel of Winona, Kansas; his nephews, Hudson, Lincoln, and Kasen Stramel and Spencer and Izak Dellere; and his nieces, Lydia Dellere and Regan Stramel.
From an early age, Dennis loved being at the lake—boating, enjoying watersports, and fishing. He often sought out streams during hikes with his children. In keeping with his wishes, his ashes will be placed at some of his favorite fishing spots. A celebration of his life will be held on July 19, 2026. Additional details will be shared as they become available.