Dennis Ray Zajic, 65, a lifelong resident of Hemingford, died Friday, May 5, 2017 at Box Butte General Hospital with his loving family and friends by his side after a courageous battle with brain cancer.
Dennis was born in Alliance, Nebraska to Loren and Florence Zajic on January 3, 1952. He grew up on their family farm having many childhood adventures outside with his sister and cousins and enjoying his high school years with stories of mischief and fun. He met his California girl Nancy Roland. They were married on July 1, 1972 in Hemingford. Dennis graduated from Chadron State College in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Education.
Forever a teacher and always an entrepreneur, Dennis taught at many rural schools and St. Agnes Academy until he had the opportunity to teach in his hometown as middle school science teacher at Hemingford High School. He taught there for 20 years and was assistant wrestling coach for several years. He was always known for his humorous antics, pranks with colleagues and mad science experiments in his classroom. He was a mentor and created a love for learning that will never be forgotten.
Dennis ran several businesses throughout his lifetime including being partial owner of the Hemingford Lumberyard, and at his passing still owned D & A Lawn Care & Treasured Grounds. Dennis opened Treasured Grounds one week after retiring from teaching in May of 2012. He loved his coffee shop, his team and his guests – always trying to create an experience that they would never forget. In 2013, he was named Entrepreneur of the Year by Box Butte Development Corporation.
Even with all of his hard work, Dennis always found time for the good stuff – rock & artifact hunting, going to garage sales, fishing, reading and spending time sipping on a cup of coffee with his sidekick Bruce Shaver and all their friends. One of the most important aspects of his life was the grandkids, traveling with Nancy thousands of miles over the years to their sports and school functions. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered for the impact he had on his community, friends, students and family.
Dennis is survived by his mother, Florence Zajic; his wife Nancy; his children Holly Zajic, Heidi Zajic Eckland (Justin), and Andrew Zajic (Rhonda Conklin); his grandchildren, Mitch, Zane & Mason Garner, Ezra & Hadley Eckland, Peyton, Elijah, Chloie & Zebulon Zajic; his sister, Marlene Snyder (Larry); nephews Evan Snyder (Christine, daughter June), Gage Snyder, Nicholas Snyder, Nathaniel Snyder (Ashley) & a large extended family. He was preceded in death by his father Loren Zajic.
A celebration of life will be held at 10:30 a.m., Thursday, May 11, 2017 at the Multipurpose Hall located on the Box Butte County Fairgrounds.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in his honor be made to Bobcats Beating Cancer or the Dennis Zajic Memorial Fund at the Hemingford Credit Union.
Online condolences may be left at www.batesgould.com. Bates-Gould Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.
