Obituary of Denis L. Kjosness

Denis Leigh Kjosness was born August 12, 1943 in the same house where he passed to glory on November 20, 2019.  His parents, Irma Kesler Kjosness and Arnold T. Kjosness inherited from Peter T. Kjosness the homesteaded farm at 28301 County Road 4B, Genoa, Colorado, and owned it all their lives. Denis had two brothers, Arnold T. Kjosness Jr (A.T.) and Theodore (Teddy), and three sisters, Kay and twins Martha and Mary. He was baptized into the Lutheran faith at the Walks Camp Lutheran Church. Denis attended Colorado State University, but left before graduation to help his father on the farm.  In 1965, he married Cherice Coates of Hugo, CO. and they had two daughters Christina Denice (1967) and Robin Gwyn (1973.)
 
The home farm did not produce enough income to support two families, so Denis worked on ranch/farms in Bridgeport, NE, Agate, CO, Fowler, CO and Limon, CO. He even worked construction in Romeo, CO for a short while. In 1981, He and Cherice purchased 40 acres and a house south of Limon where the girls attended Limon schools.  They moved to Denver in 1987, where Denis became a double certified worker for the Conoco refinery.  He worked there until his retirement at which time he moved back to manage the home farm. He and Cherice divorced in 1997 but remained good friends.
 
Denis, known affectionately as Denny, was a dedicated and accomplished cattleman and farmer. He completed a Stockmen’s Veterinary Skills course to be able to better diagnose and treat his herd and to deliver calves by caesarean section. He was never happier than when he was helping to deliver a calf or riding the combine harvesting wheat. A favorite saying was “a calf and rain are always welcome.” He thrived on the hard work and long hours which left him little time or energy for “pass-times” but he did love to play cards- Bridge, Pinochle, and Spades were his favorites. Relaxation was a cold beer at the end of the day. He kept a bottle of Jack Daniels whiskey in the barn during calving – to stimulate the new little fellows on a cold night or to help him feel better about losing one. He also enjoyed planting and harvesting a big garden each summer, often taking his best produce to the Lincoln County Fair. He also enjoyed playing host to antelope and deer hunters in the fall. He was a believer in the benefit of the 4H program. Robin was a kindred spirit in her love of animals, and Denny helped her raise and show a champion steer at the Lincoln County Fair. Christina was not the outdoor type but she also loved to play cards and quickly became his favorite Bridge partner.
 
Denis is preceded in death by his sister Kay (at 18mo), his brother Teddy (at age 5), his sister Mary (2011), his father (1992) and his mother (2011). He is survived and is mourned by Christina and Savannah Kjosness and Jon Maloney of Thornton, CO; Robin, Matthew, Matthew Gage and Grace Marie Gilpin of Chapin, SC, Martha and Larry Torline of Denver, CO; A.T. Kjosness of Yuma, CO; Cherice Kjosness and Richard Jones of Chapin, SC; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, November 26, 2019 2:00pm at 
Love Funeral Home
225 F Ave. 
Limon, CO 80828