Dennis DeForest

Dennis DeForest
November 17, 1941 - January 24, 2026

After fighting cancer and defying the odds for 7 years, Dennis is at rest. The only child of Fred and Sarah DeForest, Dennis was raised on a small farm in the Tisdale area. The challenge of subsistence farming and steering horses to school in Sylvania as a child contributed to a resilience which helped him navigate the twists and turns of an unusually varied life.

Dennis was a thoughtful, capable and honest person, as well as a skilled orator and raconteur. He attended theological school in Winnipeg, intending to become a pastor in a fundamentalist denomination. His independent spirit resulted in an agreement between him and his instructors that he was not cut out for that. At a young age, he was entrusted with management of a retail shoe establishment. This led to employment in men's wear at the former Saskatoon Co-op downtown department store. His abilities and analytical mind quickly led him to become a leader in his local union, and a new career working as a union representative. In that role, he fought for and obtained fair treatment for individual workers and better benefits for many working people in the retail trade.

Dennis was guided by his principles and social democratic values, and adhered to them even at the risk of negative consequences. The loss of his job and the comfort of working with friends in the labour movement required him to embark down a new and unexpected road as an entrepreneur. Dennis owned and operated a fishing camp at East Trout/Nipekamew Lakes for 10 years. At the same time, he built a firearms vendor business and bought and sold antiques. In all of those ventures, he gained respect for his considerable expertise.

Family was important to Dennis. He loved his devoted spouse Donna Moline, and the Moline family, which took Dennis as one of their own, as well as his daughter Michelle (Curtis), son Darcy (Leah), stepsons Derek Moline (Saori) and Trevor Moline (Haruka), grandchildren Ben, Fred, Laine, Sera, Kailey and Athena, and great-grandchildren Atlas and Dalhia. He is also fondly remembered by extended family members.

Dennis was extremely grateful for the care and support Donna provided him the last several years, which allowed him to remain in his home until the last few days of his life. He was also thankful to his oncologist Dr. Nayyer Iqbal, the many healthcare providers who assisted him during his illness, the Palliative Care Unit at Saint Paul's Hospital, which provided comfort during his final hours, and the Prairie Hospice Society for companionship/respite help.

It was Dennis's wish that no service be held. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make donations to the Prairie Hospice Society (etransfers to prairiehospice.org or cheques to 302-506-25th St. East, Saskatoon SK S7K 4A7) or the Canadian Cancer Society (www.cancer.ca).

Condolences may be expressed at www. Westwoodfuneralchapel.com

"Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less travelled by
And that has made all the difference."

-Robert Frost