Dennis Cheney

Dennis Ray Cheney

Dennis Ray Cheney, 71, of Kaysville, Utah, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017 from a head injury after being struck by car. He was born September 14, 1945 in Rupert, Idaho to Harold Hugh Cheney and Lila Banner Cheney. He grew up on a farm in Rupert, Idaho and moved to a farm in Burley, Idaho at 15. In 1963 he graduated from Burley High School. He attended Ricks College prior to serving an LDS mission in the Central British Mission from 1964-1966.

He returned to Ricks College and then attended Brigham Young University, where he served as ASBYU social vice president, and where he met Anna Lorraine Sorensen of Blackfoot, Idaho at a family home evening activity. On June 14, 1969, they were married in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple. He graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970 and a Master’s degree in Business Administration in 1973. They moved to Bountiful, Utah in 1974 and to Idaho Falls, Idaho in 1990.

Dennis was an entrepreneur at heart, working in many different avenues. He was a founding partner for Cheney Brothers Construction, owned a pool company, and had a successful career as a sales representative. His full time job afforded him many opportunities for international travel.

Dennis was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served in many callings throughout his life, to include Stake Missionary, High Priest Group Leader, and a counselor in the Bishopric.

Dennis was very creative and always had a project in progress. He had a profound love of gardening, poetry, and music. He loved drama and performing. He played the piano for his high priest group and sang in the church choir; he had a beautiful tenor voice. Dennis was known for his relentless work ethic and constant service. He was never content with the status quo, and always sought to improve himself and find more efficient ways of doing things.

Dennis was a devoted husband and father. He and Anna were married for 45 years. They raised ten children, and took pride in thirty-seven grandchildren. Anna was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1990 and he selflessly cared for her for almost twenty years, until her passing in March, 2015.

Dennis married Crystal Cheney on January 27, 2016 in Farmington, Utah. They lived in Kaysville, Utah. They had a wonderful one and a half years together visiting family and traveling, with a highlight trip to Israel and Jordan. Dennis and Crystal completed an LDS Service Mission together at the Kaysville Deseret Mill and Pasta Plant. His kindness and love to her are cherished. Dennis chose to be an organ donor as his final selfless act.

Dennis is survived by his wife Crystal Cheney; children: Aleisha (Dan) Stout of Idaho Falls, ID, Bonnie (Derick) Siddoway of Bountiful, UT, Jennie (Bryan) Hunt of San Tan, AZ, Roger (Jennifer) Cheney of Amman, Jordan, Russell (Meggie) Cheney of Grapevine, Texas, Laura (Brent) Robinson of Goodyear, AZ, Anne (Michael) Schultz of Aurora, CO, Mark (Carolyn) Cheney of San Antonio, TX, Michelle (Kerry) Christensen of Okinawa, Japan, and Angela Cheney of Provo, UT; siblings: Darwin Cheney of  South Jordan, UT, Darrell Cheney of Payson, UT, Duane Cheney of Syracuse, UT, Don Cheney of Boise, ID, and DeAnn (Nye) of Brigham City, UT.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold Hugh Cheney and Lila Banner Cheney; a brother, Danny Kay Cheney; and his wife, Anna Lorraine Sorensen Cheney.

The family would like to express their thanks to Cheney Brothers Construction for their selfless financial assistance which allowed Dennis to retire from employment and provide fulltime care for Anna as her illness progressed. Thanks to the medical staff of Timpanogos Hospital and Utah Valley Regional Medical for their compassionate care.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 11 a.m. at the Kaysville LDS Taylor Monument Chapel, 1035 South Angel Street, with Bishop Steve Lee Eller, officiating.  Friends may visit family Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Kaysville Mortuary, 400 North Main and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the church.

Interment, Riverside-Thomas Cemetery in Riverside, Idaho, on Thursday, August 10, 2017 at 10:00 am.