Dennis L. Erks was born on August 11, 1946, in York, NE, to Louis John and Christine L. (McClain) Erks. He passed away on March 11, 2019, in Lincoln at the age of 72 years and 7 months.

Denny grew up in Utica where he graduated from Utica High School with the Class of 1964. He enlisted into the U.S. Air Force on June 27, 1966 and was honorably discharged on Dec. 7, 1969. Denny then joined the National Guard where he served for another 16 years. While in the Air Force he was stationed in Hawaii.

On September 14, 1968, he was united in marriage to Connie L. Naber, to this union two children were born, Nicole and Scott. Denny began his career at Rolfsmeier Motors and later at Walker (Tenneco) where he worked for 35 years. He became a member of the Jaycees in 1973, where he held most of the offices, including regional and national. Denny was proud of being on the Fourth of July planning guide that won both state and national awards through the Jaycees. He was a founding member of the Seward Youth Center and helped build it as well as served as the second president of the board. Denny was also a member of the Seward Youth and Community Club where he served as the liaison with the Boys Scouts. He enjoyed helping organize and put on their annual fundraising breakfast. Denny was the founding member of the Seward Booster Club and City of Seward's Park and Recreation board. Denny was a longtime member of St. John Lutheran Church where he served on the worship board as well as an usher.

Denny loved baseball and had been on the Seward Baseball Association for well over 25 years. During his time at Tenneco he played on their softball team. They would travel to Wisconsin and Michigan, among other places, to play other Tenneco teams. He also played for Seward City Cleaners softball team, Merle's Flower Shop, participated in fast pitch softball for 10 years and slow pitch softball for 15 years. He usually played catcher, but also played third base. He even got to play with his son, Scott, for two years. Denny was also an umpire for both baseball and softball for 22 years. He coached t-ball through junior Legion teams. He served as a coach for two years for Seward town teams. Denny also ran the score clock at Seward High School basketball and football games and ran the clock at Concordia University events.

He was preceded in death by his father, Louis Erks (1990); father and mother-in-law, Virgil and Lillian Naber.

Denny is survived by his wife, Connie, Lincoln; two children, Nicole Ringler and husband Dave, Lincoln, Scott Erks and wife Missy, Springdale, AR; four grandsons, Zachary Ringler, Myron Erks, Ethan Ringler and Noah Ringler; mother, Christine Erks, Seward; brother, Stan Erks and wife Carol, Utica; sisters-in-law and their spouses, Cynthia Heine and husband Larry, Gloria Strickert and husband Fred, Annette Bertelson and husband Jeff; brother-in-law, Gale Naber and wife Denise; several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews, cousins and a host of friends.