Shannon Dennis

Celebration of Life for Shannon William "Shan" Dennis, 71, of Dickinson will be 10:00 am MT, Wednesday, June 24, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at St. Wenceslaus Cemetery.

Visitation for Shan will be 5 pm - 7 pm MT, Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Stevenson Funeral Home with Rosary and Liturgy of the Word taking place at 6:00 pm.

Shannon passed away on June 16, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck.

Shannon was born on February 8, 1955, in Dickinson, North Dakota, the son of Lloyd and Anna (Skurupey) Dennis. He was raised on the family farm north of Belfield alongside his many brothers and sisters. He attended the Dennis School through grade school and graduated from Belfield High School in 1973. Following high school, he began custom combining throughout the Midwest and eventually returning home to North Dakota to work in the oilfield.

On July 31, 1976, Shan married the love of his life, Marcy Dawang, in Belfield. To this union two children were born, Lauri and Levi. After working many years in the oil field he made a spontaneous purchase and bought the Bears Den bar in South Heart, ND. For 4 years, Shan and Marcy owned and operated the bar. Shan then took a chance and started purchasing cattle. In 1994 he finally purchased the farm south of Dickinson, where they continued to raise their family.

Shan was a rancher and outdoorsman at heart. He enjoyed farming, ranching, and fishing and could often be found outdoors doing what he loved. He was known for his quick wit, great sense of humor, and his ability to make people laugh. Whether visiting with friends at the livestock sale yard, spending an afternoon in town with Marcy, or gathering with family, Shan enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and the company of those he loved.

More than anything, Shan treasured his family. He loved attending their activities, sharing stories, and spending time with them whenever he could. The last few years of his life was spent falling in love again with Marcy.

Shan is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years, Marcy Dennis; daughter, Lauri (Alan) Peterson; son, Levi (Ashlee) Dennis; grandchildren, Riley Smid, Mitchell Dennis, Maycin Dennis, Piper Peterson, Adley Peterson, and Avi Dennis; sisters, Marge Palaniuk, Carol Sayler, Valerie Ness, Patty (Dennis) Hellman, and Gloria (Gary) Trauger; brothers, Brien (Shelley) Dennis, Robert (Sandi) Dennis, Jim (Elaine) Dennis, and David (Patti) Dennis; Sisters in law Mary Dennis and Susan (Keith) Wolf and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Lloyd and Anna Dennis; infant sister, Mary Ellen Dennis; and brothers, Danny, Jon, and Daryle Dennis; brothers in law, Gene Sayler, Elko Palaniuk, Glenn Ness, Dave Dawang, Joseph Dawang and nephew Ryan Dennis.