MITCHELL — Dennis Comp, 80, of Mitchell, passed away Tuesday, November 17, 2020, at Firesteel Healthcare Center.
Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, at Bittner Funeral Chapel with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service.
Dennis Comp (or Denny as his mother called him) was a native of Mitchell, a graduate of Mitchell High School, and continued his education at Dakota Wesleyan University. He grew up on West 3rd Avenue with his sister, Marilyn Reyelts (Lynn) and parents, Sam and Mary.
Married in 1960 to Nancy Kippes Comp, together they raised their seven children Sam (deceased), Susie Schneider (Tom), Sandy Lynch (Jim), Scott, Sarah, Stacy, and Mike in homes in California, Mitchell, Plankinton, and Carthage.
He was grandpa to eight grandchildren and “Big Papa” to two great-grandsons.
Dennis was always happiest when he was surrounded by family, food, and possibly a good Western movie. His love of the Wild West began when he was a child and spent time on his grandparents’ farm near Plankinton. A hardcore fan of Louis L’Amour novels and Clint Eastwood and (of course) John Wayne, he enjoyed stories of the good guys and bad guys battling it out over some goldmine or stagecoach robbery. Like his favorite cowboy characters, Dennis taught himself to play the harmonica and guitar and entertained us all with his songs.
As an entrepreneur, truck driver, grain elevator operator, and swimming pool serviceman to Hollywood stars, Dennis’s career path was very varied. But whether he was starting up a new business, driving a load of grain through the plains, bringing bulk fuel to remote farms, or cleaning Mickey Rooney’s pool, his mind was always on getting home to his family. His travels took him to nearly every state—including Hawaii and Alaska—as well as Washington D.C., Canada, Mexico and Costa Rica. He even made it to Egypt to see the pyramids and take an infamous camel ride. But whenever he got home, you could find him in his big chair, watching a Western, eating some homemade treat, and just happy to be there in the moment.
The family is grateful for the companionship, compassion, and outstanding care provided by the staff at Firesteel Healthcare Center over the last years of Dennis’ life.
Funeral arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.
Paid Obituary
