Dennis Leonard Karlzen

Dennis Leonard Karlzen

Son of Leonard and Daisy-Mae Karlzen, born in Rockford, Illinois on August 4, 1938.  His family moved to Des Moines, Iowa in his childhood years where he lived and attended school.. He later joined the U.S. Marines and worked in the administrative for six years.  Leaving the marines, he worked faithfully in the Gospel Assembly Church in Des Moines, Iowa under the leadership of the late Rev. Lloyd Goodwin while working as an electrician for 30 years.

Dennis remained very faithful to his church and joined his pastor on several missionary trips abroad and around the U.S.A.  He pastored churches in Brooklyn, New York and Hartford, CT. He visited Jamaica West Indies several times and ministered in several churches there.

In 1998 after meeting Dorette they moved to Bradenton, Fl and became a part of the Gospel Tabernacle pastored by, the Reverend, John P. Marlow.

Dennis leaves behind his loving and caring wife Dorette; two sons, Kevin and Brian and two grandchildren.  He had a passion for pets and left begin a loving little dog, Mattie, and a talkative bird, Dottie.

During the Covid 19 years he developed a liking for puzzles and left behind a lovely collection.  Dennis was a part of the first original 16th members, when the Des Moines Church stared in a basement then move to a little white church.  They out-grew thee and moved to Sixth and Clinton and lastly to the present building on Merideth Drive.

During God's work was his passion and life.  He knew the Word of God and was a good teacher of it.  He made many sacrifices and loved the Lord.  Not a day would go by that he didn't enjoy listening to gospel music.  In his later years his health began to fail and although he could not attend services on a regular basis, his light was still burning in the home.  After a battle with several health issues, he passed away peacefully Friday morning November 22nd, with his loving, caring wife by his side.

He was greatly loved and will be greatly missed.