Dennis Dvorak,(Denny to those who loved and knew him well), died peacefully on May 31, 2026 with family by his side.

Mass of Christian Burial at SS Cyril & Methodius Church in Clarkson will be held on Friday, June 5 at 10:30 AM with Fr. Taylor Leffler celebrating the Mass. Visitation will be on Thursday from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM with a 7:00 PM Vigil Service, with the visitation continuing on Friday from 9:30 AM until service time, all at the church. Military honors will be given on Friday after the service. There will be no burial at this time, as Dennis requested that his body be donated to the Nebraska Anatomical Board after the Mass. His remains will eventually be buried in Clarkson Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be direct to the Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center - Nebraska Medical Center, Clarkson Fire & Rescue, Clarkson Historical Museum or the donor's choice. 

Dennis was born to Jerome and Wilma (Bazata) Dvorak on December 22, 1947, in Columbus, Nebraska. Jerome and Wilma raised Dennis on the family farm south of Clarkson, Nebraska along with his two older sisters, Mavis and Phyllis. Dennis graduated from Clarkson High School in 1966. To hear Dennis tell the story, he “dated about 30 different girls in high school but kept going back to same one.” He would later marry that girl, Rita (Svik) Dvorak, on September 6, 1969.

Dennis continued his education at Colorado State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Agronomy in 1970. Dennis originally attended college with no intent on becoming a farmer but realized after graduation that is where his heart was. He also served in the Nebraska National Guard from 1969 to 1975, achieving the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Dennis and Rita ran the family farm for many years with the support of his father, Jerome, raising corn, soybeans, and alfalfa, and livestock including hogs and cattle. He was always good with his hands and a good steward of his resources, preferring to repair something rather than replace it, and saving all sorts of equipment, parts, and tools just in case he needed them later. Dennis also built the house that he and Rita would make their home, using lumber from the original farmhouse in which Jerome and Wilma raised him and his sisters. The ground level of that house was finished just before he and Rita welcomed their daughter, Dawn, in 1975. Their son, Paul, would arrive in 1981.

After Dennis retired from active farming, he continued to use his expertise in agriculture by working as a crop insurance adjuster. This job allowed Dennis to work with many farmers throughout northeast Nebraska but also took him places such as Georgia and Florida where he had the opportunity to gain experience with more unique crops such as cotton and citrus. With this job, he enjoyed the fact he could be outside, rarely in the same place two days in a row, and that he could regularly interact with many old (and new) acquaintances. Dennis was a 2009 Recognition Winner from Wells Fargo Insurance Rural Community Insurance Services.

While Dennis always worked hard, he also found time for fun throughout his life. He participated in many activities in high school including football, basketball, track, band, and choir. He played fastpitch softball for many years on the Clarkson Brass Rail team. He coached his children, Dawn and Paul, in sports such as basketball, softball, and baseball. He enjoyed many fishing trips with Paul and other family and friends. During his later years, he was a regular late-afternoon customer at the Brass Rail, sharing a few drinks with his friends while they watched the news and discussed how to solve all of the world’s problems.

Throughout his life, Dennis saved many lives, having donated over 11 gallons of blood through the American Red Cross. He bravely battled many illnesses later in life, most notably lung cancer for nearly 10 years and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). He was also a registered organ donor, but in the time leading up to his death, he realized his organs were likely too worn out to be of much use to any recipients. Therefore, he asked about the possibility of “donating his body to science.” His family was able to arrange for his body to be donated to the Nebraska Anatomical Board following his funeral, where it will be used for the education of future health care professionals such as physicians, physician assistants, and physical therapists. His cremated remains will be interred in the Clarkson Catholic Cemetery at a later date after he completes this final act of service.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 56 years, Rita, of Clarkson, NE; his daughter Dawn (Brady) Venema and grandchildren Drake and Eden Venema of Omaha, NE; his sister Mavis (Larry) Stears of Tacoma, WA; his sister Phyllis (Reggie) Ross of Ankeny, IA, his brother-in-law Terry (Nancy) Svik of Lincoln, NE, and his brother-in-law Curtis (Kathy) Svik of Gretna, NE; in addition to many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Jerome and Wilma, and his son, Paul.