![\"Dennis](\"https:\/\/brossspidlemonuments.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/Dennis-Henry-Martens.jpg\")
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God blessed Dennis Henry Martens and called him home to Heaven on January 23, 2026, to be with Jesus and his beloved wife, Barryann, and to await the resurrection of the dead.<\/p>\n
Dennis was born July 11, 1942, in Breckenridge, Minnesota, to Andrew W. Martens and Violet A. (Hendrickson) Martens. He was raised on his family\u2019s farm in Wilkin County, Minnesota, land homesteaded by his great-grandfather. An only child, Dennis learned early the values that would guide his life: hard work, self-reliance, responsibility, and care for others. He often reflected that his father taught him how to be a man, his mother taught him how to be a gentleman, and the farm taught him the value of work.<\/p>\n
Dennis attended a one-room rural schoolhouse through eighth grade, later graduating from high school and earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from North Dakota State University in 1964. He went on to a long and distinguished engineering career that spanned more than five decades.<\/p>\n
In 1972, Dennis married Barryann Marie Loots, and together they built a life rooted in shared work, faith, and family. They purchased and operated a working farm in Ray County, Missouri, raising crops, cattle, and hogs while simultaneously maintaining professional careers in Kansas City. They treated their five children, from earlier chapters of life, as if all had been born to their marriage, and raised them with fairness, discipline, and love. Later, Dennis and Barryann moved to Lawson, Missouri, where they made their home into retirement.<\/p>\n
Dennis spent more than 25 years at Black & Veatch, where he was known for his technical mastery, judgment, and integrity. Colleagues respected him for his ability to solve difficult problems calmly and thoroughly; many knew him by a nickname, \u201cthe Wizard.\u201d After retiring in 2008, Dennis continued his professional career as a consultant and technical advisor for many years.<\/p>\n
Dennis and Barryann were longtime members of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior Springs, Missouri, where their faith shaped both their public and private lives. They enjoyed traveling the United States and Canada, often combining work and leisure, always side by side.<\/p>\n
Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Barryann; his parents; and other beloved family members.<\/p>\n
He is survived by his five children, Timothy Loots of Kansas City, Missouri, Thomas Loots of Kansas City, Kansas, Kim Martens of Pella, Iowa, Kathy (Martens) Fields of Washington, Iowa, and Mike Martens of Leawood, Kansas; along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.<\/p>\n
Dennis loved his family deeply and measured life not by accolades but by the responsibilities he quietly fulfilled. He demonstrated that anything worthwhile had to be earned through planning, patience, and work. He will be remembered as a devoted husband, a steady father, a thoughtful grandfather, and a man whose integrity quietly guided everything he did.<\/p>\n
A visitation will be held from 8:30 to 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Mount Calvary Lutheran Church in Excelsior Springs, with a service beginning at 10:00 a.m., followed immediately by burial at Hillcrest Cemetery.<\/p>\n
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to either the Mount Calvary Lutheran Church or to the Lawson High School Robotics Club (care of the Martens family).<\/p>\n
Donations may be mailed to:<\/p>\n
Mount Calvary Lutheran Church
\n1215 Baldwin St.
\nExcelsior Springs, MO 64024<\/p>\n
Michael Martens
\n(Benefit of: Lawson Robotics Club)
\nC\/O Bross & Spidle Funeral Home
\n217 W. Broadway
\nExcelsior Springs, MO 64024<\/p>\n
Arrangements are in care of Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Excelsior Springs.<\/p>\n
A dear friend and mentor to me, RIP Dennis.
\nLonnie Kinnamon<\/p>\n
Please accept our sincere condolences on Dennis’s passing. “The Wizard” will be sorely missed by ALL who knew him. He was a man who stood up for what he believed, no matter the consequences. In my 25+ year association with Dennis, I am now aware of him ever being technically incorrect!
\nIt has been an honor and privilege to call Dennis my friend.
\nFrank<\/p>\n
Rest in peace Denny. My sincere condolences to Denny\u2019s family.
\nI worked with Denny for 20 years. As a young engineer it used to drive me crazy that he would not just give me the answer that I was seeking. It always turned into an assignment. As I got older, I realized Denny was teaching me how to figure things out myself versus just giving me the answers. He was the exemplary teacher. Even in my 50s and Denny in his 70s, he was still teaching me. Thank you Denny, for all that you did for me and many many others.
\nAlan Mosher<\/p>\n
Rest in peace Dennis. My sincere condolences to your family.
\nJerry Clinton<\/p>\n
Denny started working with my husband Mike Porter in the 1980s or 90s. I don\u2019t know what the project was, but after Denny worked a full day at Pritchard, he would toddle over to our house and Mike\u2019s basement office. It was usually dark before he would head for home. He was there so often that I joked that I was ready to adopt him. I have no idea what that first project was – and I know I wouldn\u2019t understand it even if I knew the name – but from then on, Mike would always say that Denny was the smartest person he knew. The two of them were the first non-academics to become Fellows in their section of ASME in a long long time – maybe ever. When Mike started a small engineering firm in Lawrence, Denny would pop over once in a while when there was something that no one else could figure out. I KNOW beyond a shadow of a doubt that Mike counted on Denny\u2019s fine countenance, advice, and just overall friendship. My husband has lost a precious friend, and I know he will be grieving for a long time. RIP Denny. You were SUCH a great man!!!
\nMeredith Porter<\/p>\n
Sorry to hear Dennis has passed away. Over the last years I saw him at the annual B&V dinner for retirees. I worked for him at B&V for a number of years. Dennis would always support you. When I started working for him he noted that he sometimes had to tear a telephone book in half to impress people who were going to work for him. He only had to start the tear to impress me.
\nBill Hoge<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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