Dennis Wayne Van Amburg
Dennis Wayne Van Amburg, 75, passed away at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno, Nevada on Monday, July 5, 2021. Dennis was born to Harold and Loraine Van Amburg on August 17, 1945 in Sacramento, California.
Dennis went to El Camino High School in Carmichael, California. He worked at his family’s Donut Shop in Sacramento growing up learning baking skills from his father. He joined the U.S. Army in November 1965 and was stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado. During that 2 year period he was assigned as the personal chef to the Commander General. He returned home in November 1967, and worked at various restaurants in the Sacramento area, did landscaping projects, and acquired skills and knowledge to do a variety of jobs.
He went to work for the Department of Corrections in 1974 as a Cook I at the California Correctional Center (CCC), transferred to CRC Norco, then back to CCC as Supervising Cook I then promoting to Vocational Instructor (Baking) after earning his teaching credential. On May 4, 2006 he retired as the Correctional Food Manager I after working 32 years for the State of California.
Dennis loved camping, boating and fishing when the kids were at home. Spent many fun times at Eagle Lake. He loved gardening, playing softball, listening to 60’s music and being involved in community clubs. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club, Honey Lake Valley Grange and CRS Chapter 14. Dennis managed his men’s softball team “The Stingers,” coached Little League Baseball, and coached Matt in Babe Ruth. He and Carol owned Van’s Catering and did banquets for wedding receptions, funerals, luncheons. Dennis loved cooking for his family and for various community events that Carol would sign up to bring a hot dish or dessert. He was well known for his great pulled pork sandwiches he prepared for various events. He watched the 49ers and the Warriors games. but the San Francisco Giants was the team he loved to watch.
Dennis and Carol met at CCC. They married in November 1982.
Dennis had two daughters and Carol had a daughter and son. Their blended family grew over the years into a beautiful large, loving family. He is survived by his wife of 38 years Carol Van Amburg, daughter Misty Duerksen (Aaron), Susanville, California, daughter Karen Mintun (Hal), Sparks, Nevada, and son Matthew Payne (Marilou), Grants Pass, Oregon; his brothers Tim Van Amburg, Carmichael, California, Ron Van Amburg, Carmichael, California, Glenn Van Amburg (Joanne), Meridian, Idaho; his sisters, Bonnie Van Amburg, Carmichael, California, Sandra Smith (Robert), Sacramento, California and Shelly Bowen, Sacramento, California; his grandchildren Austin (Abby), Alana, Andrew, Amanda, Brook, Mariann, Olivia, Natalie, Lynn (Jesse), Brad (Angel), and Marjorie; four great-grandchildren. He had just learned of a great-daughter coming in November and was excited hearing of the new addition to the family; brothers-in-laws Ted Wolfram and Ray Dail; sister-in-laws Evelyn Wolfram and Judy Dail; several nieces, and nephews and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents Harold and Loraine Van Amburg, brother Michael Van Amburg, and daughter Laurie Van Amburg.
Dennis was very proud of all the children’s and grandchildren’s accomplishments. He will be missed by his family and the friends he had made over the 40 years living in Susanville.
Services will be held on Saturday, August 14, 2021 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Diamond Crest Cemetery. Lunch will be provided by Caring & Sharing at the Monsignor Moran Hall after the burial.
IN MY HEART
I thought of you today,
But that is nothing new.
I thought about you yesterday,
And days before that too.
I think of you in silence,
I often speak your name.
Now all I have are memories,
And your picture in a frame.
Your memory is my keepsake,
With which I’ll never part.
God has you in his keeping,
I have you in my heart.
Unknown
