Dennis Wayne Wiedeman, 75, of Gering, Nebraska and Maricopa, Arizona passed away at his Arizona home on February 10, 2022. Funeral Services will be held at Gering Zion Church, 1100 O Street, Gering, Nebraska, at 10:00 am, Thursday, February 24, 2022. A Celebration of Life Luncheon will follow the service at Legacy of the Plains Museum. Family and friends are invited, and casual attire is welcomed. Visitation will be at Gering Memorial Chapel, Wednesday from 3:00 pm to 6:00 p.m.
Dennis was born on December 17, 1946, in Scottsbluff Nebraska, the first son of Betty (Schmidt) Wiedeman and Edward Wiedeman. He grew up on the family farm in Mitchell Valley and attended school at Haig Elementary. After graduating from Gering High School Dennis earned his Associate of Arts degree at Scottsbluff Junior college (now WNCC); his Bachelor of Science (BSBA) at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln; his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and his Personal Financial Specialist (PFS) from the Institute of Certified Public Accountants; his Certified Financial Planner (CFP) from the College of Financial Planning; his Chartered Financial Consultant (CHfC) from the American College. Dennis served his nation with the Nebraska Army National Guard from 1966 to 1972. He married Connie Harimon in 1967. Their son, Christian Wiedeman was born in 1970.
Dennis’s main goal in life was always to help others and he chose to pursue a career assisting clients with tax planning and building a secure financial future through financial education and investments. Dennis began his career in 1970 with Peat Marwick in Lincoln, Nebraska and the accounting firm of Calvin Lenhart, CPA in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. In 1975 he opened his own accounting practice in Gering, Nebraska. Within 10 years he shifted his focus to providing financial planning, estate planning and investment advice to his many clients and opened Wiedeman Financial Services. His second wife, Connie Carlson Wiedeman, whom he married in 1995, joined him in building the firm in 1990. Dennis was acknowledged as a leader in his field and earned countless national awards and accolades throughout his career. He retired in 2015, both businesses having been transferred to his wife and to dedicated colleagues.
Dennis was characterized by business associates, clients, family, and friends as loyal, honest, trust-worthy, hard-working and generous. He volunteered with numerous professional, civic and educational organizations throughout his career; including several leadership positions at Scottsbluff-Gering United Chamber of Commerce; Western Nebraska Community College as adjunct faculty and member of the Board of Governors; Legacy of the Plains including past president of the Board of Directors; Western Nebraska Community College Foundation; The Homestead Halfway House; Salem Congregational Church; Plymouth Congregational Church and the City of Gering LB840 committee. He was a member of Gering Zion Church and was currently serving on the boards of Legacy of the Plains Museum and Mitchell Valley Trap Club.
In addition to volunteerism, Dennis’s passions included sporting clays, hunting, farming, and travel. He and his wife, Connie Carlson Wiedeman, enjoyed traveling both domestically and abroad for both business and pleasure. Dennis’s greatest passion, above and beyond any endeavor, however, was spending time with his family, especially his five grandchildren. They will have many fond memories of his numerous visits, calls and text messages; humorously incorporating their heritage by teaching them German words and phrases.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Connie Carlson Wiedeman; his mother, Betty Wiedeman of Gering; his son, Christian Wiedeman of Mitchell; his Step-daughter, Amber (Doug) Ramig of Scottsbluff; his Step-son, Grant Carlson (Kristi Ellis) of Gering; his sister, Cindy (John) Nigh of Cheyenne; his brother, Dave (Sherri) Wiedeman of Dalton; his sister, Susan, of Gering; his special Aunt, Ruth Schmunk, of Aurora Colorado; his five grandchildren, Lauren Rairigh, Taylor Rairigh, Austin Wiedeman, Hannah Wiedeman, and Mason Ramig; several nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward Wiedeman, mother-in-law, Betty Burd, niece Meagan Wiedeman, and great-nephew Oaks Wiedeman.
Contributions in Dennis’s honor may be made to the Legacy of the Plains Museum and Mitchell Valley Trap Club for the training and benefit of 4H youth and public.
