The final checkered flag flew for Dennis L. Gaserude of Belleville, WI on Friday, August 29, 2014. He was born June 8, 1957 in Sherman, Texas, but moved with his family to Jefferson, Wisconsin at age 3. Dennis attended St. John the Baptist School and Jefferson High School, graduating in 1975 (on his 18th birthday). All who knew Dennis recollect his vibrancy and the ease with which he made friends. An avid outdoorsman, Dennis loved golf, hunting, fishing, bowling and stock car racing. Dennis' interest in racing began in his teens as he worked with his father for Dick Trickle on the ASA circuit. Later, he became a driver/owner who won six track championships and a state championship in the hobby stock division while racing regularly at Columbus 151 Speedway and Jefferson Speedway. Dennis also enjoyed travelling to race specials at such places as Rockford, West Salem, Plover, Tomah, Wausau and Marshfield. In his later years, many golfing buddies made every fair-weather day an enjoyable adventure on courses around the area. Dennis is survived by his partner, Mary VanBemmel, parents Ron and Kathie Gaserude of Jefferson, sister Patti (Dale) Dalby of Fort Atkinson, brother Don (Maureen) Gaserude of Fort Atkinson, nephew Jeffery LeFave, nieces Stacy Gaserude and Melissa Dalby, and four grand-nephews; plus many aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives of his partner and friends from around the state. Preceding him in death are his grandparents Lester Gaserude, Edith (Gilbert) Shepherd, and Edgar and Marie Stauss, his niece Megan Dalby-Peterson, and grand-nephew Aiden Yanke. A celebration of Dennis' life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 7, 2014 at the Montrose Town Hall in Paoli, 1341 Diane Ave., Belleville, WI with a time of remembrance at 3:00 p.m. As Dennis had a special place in his heart for animals and for those less-advantaged, he would be blessed by donations made to Autism Society or Dane County Humane Society in lieu of flowers or other remembrances. The Becker-Beal Funeral Home of Belleville is serving the family.
