Dennis Glen Rivard

Dennis “Denny” Rivard, 84, of Petoskey, died June 9, 2021, at McLaren Northern Michigan Hospital after suffering complications from a stroke.

Denny was born on November 21, 1936, in Pontiac, Michigan, the son of Glen and Evelyn Rivard. Denny met the love of his life, Katherine “Nan” Bentham, while attending school in Pontiac and the two were married on April 25, 1959.

Denny started his career with Michigan Bell in 1954 and continued working there as a manager for 35 years until leaving to start his own business in the early 1990’s.

In his spare time, Denny enjoyed fishing and hunting. He had a passion for food and liked to go out to eat with family, order his favorite peach pancakes, and entertain friends over a nice meal and great conversation. Denny will be remembered as an extremely likable person with a great sense of humor, easy going attitude, and kindness.

Most recently, Denny lived at Mallard Cove Assisted Living in Petoskey. He always felt very at home there and even had a section of the library set aside for his building and craft projects. Denny was exceptionally talented and built many intricate and beautiful doll houses there. A special thank you from the Rivard family to the staff at Mallard Cove for their care and amazing treatment of Denny in his final years.

Denny is survived by his daughter, Denise Brown of New Orleans, LA and his son, Steve (Monica) Rivard of Dallas, TX; his grandchildren, Marissa (Thomas) Howell, Aimee Brown, Dylan Brown, Alec (Madison) Rivard and Allison Rivard; great-grandchildren, Brayden and Colette; and by his niece, Kathy Daugherty, who was very special to Denny and a wonderful caregiver to him.

Denny is preceded in death by his wife, Katherine “Nan” Rivard; brother, Roger Rivard and sister, Janice Rivard-Cook.

A graveside service will be held at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Pontiac, Michigan at a later date.

The family suggests charitable donations be made in memory of Dennis’s true love, Katherine Rivard, to the Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org).

Arrangements are in the care of Stone Funeral Home, Inc. (Petoskey). 

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