Denis Donald Mildenberger

August 11, 1946 - March 22, 2024

In Loving Memory ~

Denis was born in Regina and was the eldest of 5 siblings. His family moved to Kelowna in his mid-teens. In Kelowna, he finished his senior year of high school and eventually apprenticed to become an Industrial Electrician. He and his wife Norma called Castlegar their home for the majority of his adult life.

He was very athletic, and during his school years in Regina, he learned to wrestle and competed in pole vaulting, for which he held the school record for over 10 years. While in Kelowna, he played hockey with the Kelowna Buckaroos. Then in his younger adult years, he enjoyed playing gentlemen's hockey, water skiing and downhill skiing and was an avid golfer in later life.

Denis was proud to be an electrician and became proficient in working on high voltage. He was a mentor to many other electricians and loved to troubleshoot. He worked on construction projects in the East Kootenays in coal mines and various dams. He later worked at West Kootenay Power and finished off his company career at Celgar Pulp Mill in Castlegar. He then opened his own electrical business and worked for 10 more years, before retiring.

He was a member of the IBEW Apprenticeship Board and a member of the Castlegar Golf course executive.

Norma and Denis traveled to many countries. In retirement, they spent their winters in Melaque, Mexico.

Denis was passionate about riding his Harley Davidson. He and Norma did numerous motorcycle tours through Western Canada and The United States. For the past 10 years, he rode with his son, on an annual 5-day group ride in Alberta and BC.

Denis took his last ride home while in Melaque, Mexico, on March 22nd, at the age of 77. He was predeceased by his father Wendelen, mother Clara and stepson Chad.

Denis leaves behind his wife, Norma, son Lee (Carey), stepdaughter Tracy (Gerry) stepdaughter-in-law Bonnie, 7 grandchildren (Brady, Daemen, Brian, Savannah, Alyssa (Sebastian), Josh and Griffin) as well as two greatgrandchildren (Skylynn and Boden).

Denis also leaves behind his 4 siblings, brother Doug (Carollyne) and sisters Kathy (Bob), Delphine (Keith), and Karen (Dave), an aunt, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, and many cousins.

Celebration of Life is on Sept. 28th, 1:00 p.m. at Brilliant Cultural Centre. Any donations in his name are asked to be made to the Salvation Army or the Food Bank.