"I didn't know Leonard except throuh the photos and memories my mother, his sister cherished. Yet I was saddened to hear of his passing so soon after hers. It sounds as if they had much in common and I'm surprised their paths never crossed as she has a daughter who lived in Tomahawk she visited for years. As well as all the local places the childrens paths crossed. I heard many stories about Leonard over the years. His sisters reunited after years of being estranged when Mary was ill. Patricia was happy for that relationship and full of forgiveness. I'm very sorry for your loss, and wish you all, my extended family, peaceful healing. Patti Brown"
In loving memory of
Leonard "Lenny" E. Dunn
February 12, 1930 - February 20, 2018
Dunn, Leonard "Lenny"
Waunakee: Leonard "Lenny" Dunn, beloved husband, father, grandfather, neighbor, Christian, brother and friend, died unexpectedly of a heart attack Tuesday, February 20, 2018. He was 88 years young.
Lenny grew up on a small farm on the east side of Madison during the depression years in the 1930's, and attended the Heaston School, now a historical landmark. Lenny was rarely late for class, as it was across the street. He later attended East H.S. He spent summer vacation fishing at Lake Wisconsin with his grandmother. Lenny was a Dane County Sheriff Deputy from 1960 to 1983, initially working all 3 shifts as a rookie, and later serving as a dispatcher for many years. His least favorite assignment was training "Hector" the police dog by wearing the attack suit, thus leading him to a lifelong aversion to German Shepherds, and always rooting for spaniels and poodles at Westminster!
Lenny was funny, witty, and always optimistic, with just the right amount of blarney mixed in, likely due to his Irish heritage. He was a loyal friend, and a devoted Christian man. Lenny was a walker, birdwatcher, and voracious reader. He loved to take his children to Olbrich and the zoo when they were younger, and taking photos of them. He was proud of their athletic abilities and career achievements, but was even more moved by their friendship and faith.
Lenny married Vickie in 1982. The couple dabbled in photography and made frequent trips to Door County where some of their photos were exhibited and sold by the Hardy Gallery in Ephraim. The Dunns lived at Century Harbor Condos in Middleton where they made many treasured friendships and owned a small, but cozy cottage at Lake Tomahawk, where Lenny enjoyed visits from friends, and family, especially grandkids. He loved playing cards, board games, and badminton with the grandkids, and teaching them to fish, and attending their school programs. In 2009 the cottage was sold, and the Dunns moved to Waunakee where Lenny enjoyed playing jeopardy, watching PBS, quiet evenings by the fireplace and band concerts in the park. He also enjoyed going out to eat at Spring Garden, Nauti Gal, and Culvers.
After experiencing a heart attack in 2009 and a broken hip in 2013, Lenny worked very hard to regain strength and walking ability, and embraced simple everyday tasks with vigor. Lenny was a case study in fortitude, discipline, and good humor. He liked to drive the car and run errands. Overtime he overcame many obstacles drawing him ever closer to God.
Lenny is survived by his wife of 35 years, Vickie; his children, Linda, Kerry, Gregory, Cathy and David; and 10 grandchildren, Matthew, Jeffrey, Wendy, Dustin, Jaime, Laura, Jake, Danny, Carter, and Abigail; his sister Mary, his sisters -in- law, Sherryl and Sandra; niece, Sarah; and nephews, Matthew and Jason. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Olive, a sister, his children Steve and Rilla, and by grandmothers-in-law, Dodie and Pherne, mother-in-law, Rae Jane, and by many close friends and neighbors.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 209 South St., Waunakee, WI 53597, on Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at noon.
A private family burial will take place. Please share a memory.
Winn Cress Funeral Home
5785 Hwy Q
Waunakee, WI 53597
(608) 849-4513
Tributes
"Thank-you Lenny for being a role model of the power of positive thinking, of finding the humor and goodness in all situations, and for impacting upon me the wisdom of living each day as it comes with perseverance. You will be missed."
"Tim and Barb Hopping We just got to know Lenny the past 2 years through Meals on Wheels and taking care of his lawn. We always enjoyed visiting with him. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time. "
"Lenny replaced me in Dispatch, which I was very thankful. He did an excellent job. My condolence. Stan Klein"
"Lenny taught me how to dispatch! And I made that my career! He was so fun to work with! His humor was so subtle! Sounds like he had an incredible retirement! Rest In Peace Lenny!"
"I had the privilege of working with Lenny at the sheriff's office from 1974 until his retirement. I will never forget his smile or sense of humor! And a rookie road deputy could ask for no better dispatcher than Lenny! His demeanor on the radio was always calm and professional. When situations were hectic and escalating, you could always rely on his cool presence to support you. My condolences to his family, and rest in peace "Crazy Radio Lenny!" - Mike Krembs"