Dennis Jay Zehr, age 67, died suddenly on July 9, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. Dennis was born in Newton, KS on October 14, 1953 to Elmer and Violet (Bender) Zehr. Dennis grew up in Hesston, Kansas along with four brothers and two sisters. He graduated from Hesston elementary and high school.
Dennis played basketball and football in high school and was a trumpet player in the high school band. He started working part-time at the Hesston Colonial House during high school. This is where Dennis discovered his love of cooking.
After graduation, Dennis married Jo Ellen Wenz. Dennis and Jo moved to Hyde Park, New York where Dennis attended the Culinary Institute of America. Dennis graduated in 1974 with high honors and the cordon bleu award. In 1988, he attended the Thai Cooking School in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dennis was employed at hotels in Kansas and Seattle prior to before moving back to Hesston, KS where he operated the Hesston Colonial House for a number of years. He also owned and operated the Old Mill Restaurant and Wine Bar in Newton, Kansas. The restaurant specialized in New American, French, and Asian cooking and was a 3 star restaurant. Dennis was named to the 1989-90 national registry by the Chef’s National Registry in San Francisco, CA. Holidays at the restaurants meant delicious buffets and Dennis’s renowned ice carvings. Dennis also was named the Restaurateur of the Year in 1982 by the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
Dennis moved to Chicago in the early 1990’s and worked at 5-star restaurants for a number of years. Later, Dennis moved to the Kansas City area to be close to family.
Dennis’s passion was cooking. He willingly shared favorite recipes and cooking tips with family and friends. Holiday meals were highly anticipated when Dennis contributed his cooking expertise.
Dennis leaves behind a large family. His children, Brandon Jay Zehr, Brandi (Zehr) Gates, and Billy (Bonnie) Zehr and five grandchildren, Marcus Edwards, Vanea Gates, Avery Gates, Julia Zehr and Nora Zehr. Dennis is also survived by one sister, Carol A. (Zehr) Brown (Ronald Brown) of Shawnee KS and four brothers, Farrel J. Zehr (Jan Zehr) of Ashville NC, Paul E. Zehr (Nancy Zehr) of Modesto CA, John M. Zehr of Harrison Valley PA, and Timothy W. Zehr (Kim Zehr) of Inman KS, 15 nieces and nephews, 27 great nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Violet (Bender) Zehr, his sister Wanda Y. (Zehr) Doig and his brother-in law John Doig.
A memorial service will be held on August 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Amos Funeral Home, Shawnee, KS. Memorials may be sent to Kansas Food Bank in care of Amos Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203. Kansas Food Bank provides food for food-insecure families across the state of Kansas.
The family has requested that masks be worn at all times while attending. Masks will be provided if needed.
Memorial Service
Start Date: August 6, 2021, 2:00 pm
End Date: August 6, 2021, 3:00 pm
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
Dennis played basketball and football in high school and was a trumpet player in the high school band. He started working part-time at the Hesston Colonial House during high school. This is where Dennis discovered his love of cooking.
After graduation, Dennis married Jo Ellen Wenz. Dennis and Jo moved to Hyde Park, New York where Dennis attended the Culinary Institute of America. Dennis graduated in 1974 with high honors and the cordon bleu award. In 1988, he attended the Thai Cooking School in Bangkok, Thailand.
Dennis was employed at hotels in Kansas and Seattle prior to before moving back to Hesston, KS where he operated the Hesston Colonial House for a number of years. He also owned and operated the Old Mill Restaurant and Wine Bar in Newton, Kansas. The restaurant specialized in New American, French, and Asian cooking and was a 3 star restaurant. Dennis was named to the 1989-90 national registry by the Chef’s National Registry in San Francisco, CA. Holidays at the restaurants meant delicious buffets and Dennis’s renowned ice carvings. Dennis also was named the Restaurateur of the Year in 1982 by the Kansas Restaurant and Hospitality Association.
Dennis moved to Chicago in the early 1990’s and worked at 5-star restaurants for a number of years. Later, Dennis moved to the Kansas City area to be close to family.
Dennis’s passion was cooking. He willingly shared favorite recipes and cooking tips with family and friends. Holiday meals were highly anticipated when Dennis contributed his cooking expertise.
Dennis leaves behind a large family. His children, Brandon Jay Zehr, Brandi (Zehr) Gates, and Billy (Bonnie) Zehr and five grandchildren, Marcus Edwards, Vanea Gates, Avery Gates, Julia Zehr and Nora Zehr. Dennis is also survived by one sister, Carol A. (Zehr) Brown (Ronald Brown) of Shawnee KS and four brothers, Farrel J. Zehr (Jan Zehr) of Ashville NC, Paul E. Zehr (Nancy Zehr) of Modesto CA, John M. Zehr of Harrison Valley PA, and Timothy W. Zehr (Kim Zehr) of Inman KS, 15 nieces and nephews, 27 great nieces and nephews and several great-great nieces and nephews. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Violet (Bender) Zehr, his sister Wanda Y. (Zehr) Doig and his brother-in law John Doig.
A memorial service will be held on August 6, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Amos Funeral Home, Shawnee, KS. Memorials may be sent to Kansas Food Bank in care of Amos Funeral Home, 10901 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS 66203. Kansas Food Bank provides food for food-insecure families across the state of Kansas.
The family has requested that masks be worn at all times while attending. Masks will be provided if needed.
Events
Memorial Service
Start Date: August 6, 2021, 2:00 pm
End Date: August 6, 2021, 3:00 pm
Amos Family Funeral Home
10901 Johnson Dr.
Shawnee, KS 66203
Phone: 913-631-5566
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