Dennis Wengart

Dennis comes from a long line of clergy who also worked the land and had prominent roles in their communities. His father, Carl Wengart, of German- Italian descent, was the head of his large family of 10 children and his Spanish wife, Olivia. Carl changed his family name from Weingarten to Wengart to make it appear more American. First born of his siblings. Carl felt the call to the ministry as a teenager in the Covenant Baptist Church in Bozeman, Mt. He and Olivia taught their children the value of stewardship of the land and the responsibilities of caring for their farm animals. 

Dennis, the second born, grew up surrounded by laughter, friendship, caring parents and, of course, hard work. Being a preacher's kid, Dennis sometimes resisted his father's wishes but was soon persuaded to comply because of his love of his family and wanting harmony between them. 

Dennis joined the Army in 1943 and, by God's grace, came through WW II unscathed. He met Sharon Franchini, soon to become his wife when Dennis was stationed in Italy and it was love at first sight for the two of them. He married her in 1947 and brought her home to meet his parents, six brothers and four sisters. They made her feel so accepted into this warm and loving family, very much like her family back in Italy. Her English improved rapidly, but she always retained that beautiful Italian accent.

What can I say about Dennis? Well, first of all, being one of the older brothers he was proud, determined, stubborn to a point, reserved with strangers, but warm with his family, friends and neighbors. He knew what his priorities were and rose early to do his farm chores, especially tending to the needs of his stable horses. His passions were horseback riding, relaxing while reading, playing guitar and banjo, and writing the tractor while working the land. Dennis liked being around responsible people who loved the Lord. He disliked, no, hated evil in any form. His buddies referred to him as “Preacher” because he would call down any of them who were lewd in speech, told dirty jokes, lusted after the girls, or lied. But that didn't stop his friends from privately asking him for advice. And baring their hearts and souls to him, needing help with troubling family relationships. 

You would know Dennis if you saw him on the street. Look for a handsome, lean, 5’ 11“, hardy cowboy, tan and weathered, rugged with dark blue eyes and a sly half smile. That is when he smiled. His tousled brunette hair always fell over one eye and he kept pushing it away while he was talking or concentrating on the task at hand, Like all the Wengart boys, all female heads, young and old, would turn his way when he entered the room, especially at church. Carl’s six sons, Jeremy, Joseph, Raymond, Michael, Henry and Dennis could be found on the cricket field with their friends, playing roughly but amicably. Dennis brought that love of sports into his own son's lives: Thomas, Andrew, John, Caleb. And Herschel. And they were all very protective of their two beautiful sisters, Ruth and Esther. 

It was up and at ‘em before the rooster crowed, sitting at a rousing table full of breakfast- inhaling muscular and animated kids with Mom hovering over them, laughing at their lively chatter. When Dennis rang the work bell, it signaled that breakfast was over and it was time to get to work. As their clan grew older and went their own ways into family and kids aunts and uncles and cousins, Dennis still retained the role of head of his extended family. There were constant visits to Papa and Granny's farm and huge dinners, complete with all the trimmings on the holidays and throughout the year. The love that began in Italy happily grew deeper with every passing year, and what they started with their own children was passed down to all their succeeding generations.