Denis "Denny" W. Ehrler

Denis "Denny" W. Ehrler, 61, of Sun Prairie, WI, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 8th, 2025, with his wife and two daughters by his bedside.

Denny was born August 11th, 1963, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Arthur Ehrler and Marla (Shupe). Denny was a 1981 graduate of Brooklyn High School and furthered his education at Kent State University where he studied Criminal Justice and was a member of the ROTC. After graduating, Denny became an Electronic Warfare Officer and flew in B-52´s during Operation Desert Storm. Denny truly loved his time in the Air Force. He proudly spoke of his time in the service and kept in touch with many lifelong friends.

While serving his country, Denny married Robin (Bannister) on December 31st, 1989, and welcomed his first daughter, Jamie, the following fall. After leaving the service Denny and Robin settled in Madison, Wisconsin, where Denny became a Dane County Deputy Sheriff and welcomed three more children; Elizabeth, Samantha, and David. Denny enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, and competing in Blackjack tournaments at Ho-Chunk. Denny worked countless hours of overtime so he wouldn't miss the annual Sun Prairie Sweet Corn Festival with his family. He proudly retired in 2020 after 27 years of service to the Dane County Sheriff Department.

Denny loved his family and did his best to make life's mile markers more memorable. On the first and last days of school, he would wake up bright and early to make Belgian waffles and bacon. He referred to this as the "sad breakfast" (back to school) and the "happy breakfast" (last day of school). This is a tradition that is carried on by his two daughters who work in education.

Birthday celebrations were extra special for Denny. He was known for giving scratch offs and lottery tickets, often using his number skills to create as many combinations using times and birth dates as the ‘lucky numbers’. He especially wanted to make milestone birthdays special and offered to take his children to Las Vegas for their 21st birthdays. Vegas was a special place for Denny. His most recent trip was last October after receiving his terminal diagnosis. He spent two weeks enjoying the desert heat, drinking Miller beer, and cruising the Strip in his electric scooter.

Denny is survived by his wife of 35 years, Robin, his three daughters Jamie, Elizabeth (Brandon) Lauretic, and Samantha, his son David, two stepchildren, John (Libby) Root, Adam (Jessica) Root, his mother Marla, sister Darlene, and brother Doug (Tracy), and two nephews, Pierce and Jenson. He is preceded in death by his father Art, Uncle Denny, and Grandmother "Munner."

Family and friends may gather for a visitation at Cress Funeral Home Madison East on Saturday September 6th, 2025, from 11:00am-1:00pm, followed by a short memorial service at 1:00pm. After the service all are invited to celebrate Denny's life in a memorial gathering with food and drinks at Orfan Community Park, 2050 St Albert the Great Dr, Sun Prairie, WI, 53590.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3325 E. Washington Ave.

Madison (608) 249-6666

Please share your memories at www.cressfuneralservice.com