Dennis Leon Dotzel passed away following a short illness on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at St. Francis Health Care. He was born on July 24, 1959 in Wichita, Kansas to the union of Deneen Merlyn and Mary Francis Walker Dotzel. Dennis married the former Anita Kingston. To this union two children were born. They later divorced. Dennis was of Lutheran faith.

Dennis was a 1977 graduate of Atchison High School, Atchison, Kansas. After high school he attended Bethany College for one year. In 1978 he enrolled and completed the graphic design program at Northeast Vocational School graduating in 1980. After graduation he was employed at Josten’s Printing and Publishing for 14 years. Dennis wasn’t satisfied and decided to change careers and enrolled in barber school at Capitol City Barber College. After graduating in 1994, Dennis worked as a self-employed barber until 1996. In 1996 he became co-owner operator of Tokan Screen Printing and Embroidery and later as co-owner operator of D&D Embroidery.

Dennis’s career took many turns and in 1999 he returned to school to pursue a career in substance abuse counseling. He enrolled at Kansas City Community College and Washburn University to begin his education in addiction counseling receiving his certification in 2001 and continued working towards his Bachelors of Applied Sciences in Human Services. Dennis continued to develop his knowledge in the field of addiction and human services by working various jobs over the years. He worked as a Substance Abuse Technician at Shawnee County Mental Health in the SARP program, Mental Health Technician at Menninger’s, Substance Abuse Counselor at the Kansas Juvenile Correctional Facility, Case Manager for Community Works, Substance Abuse Counselor for Topeka Treatment Center and his last job was a manager for Highbridge Management Corporation.

Dennis had a green thumb and enjoyed growing plants, raising salt water fish, gun collector, making bullets, artist (painting) and watching old John Wayne Movies. He enjoyed the outdoors and enjoyed hunting birds and deer and most of all Dennis was a motorcycle enthusiast.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his daughter, Danielle; son, Jason; granddaughter, Kale; parents, Deneen and Mary Dotzel; brother, Rev Robert Dotzel (Stephanie); two nieces, Krista and Bekah and many friends.
Dennis will be greatly missed but never forgotten by his family and friends.

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