Joseph Dodenbier

Joseph Dodenbier was born June 30, 1935 in Apeldoorn, The Netherlands to Bernardus T. & Catharina Berndes Dodenbier. He died on Monday, February 8, 2015 at his home in Bunkerville, Nevada surrounded by his beautiful wife, children & grandchildren.

He was raised in the Netherlands during World War 2. His love for airplanes began when he was a young boy often running outside to watch fighter planes dogfight above his home. At the age of 15 he immigrated to America with his family to come to Zion arriving in Salt Lake City, Utah on July 24, 1950. He joined the marines to help in the process of becoming an American citizen. He has always been proud of his Dutch heritage but he was very proud to become a citizen of the United States . He met Betty (Bertha Cornelia) Vandenhazel his eternal sweetheart. They were married June 21, 1957 in the LDS Salt Lake City Temple. He cherished and protected her everyday of their lives together. They moved to Nevada in 1962 living in Overton, Las Vegas and finally Bunkerville, Nevada. He built the family home in Bunkerville with his own hands and filled it with 10 children.

He worked hard throughout his life in various fields. He loved climbing power poles and working as a lineman. He was always tinkering with cars and motors. He had many friends and was always willing to help them. If someone needed something fixed he could usually find the part in the garage and if not he could figure out how to make it work. Joe was always a missionary and served his fellowman. Throughout his lifetime he would pick up hitch hikers as he traveled to and from Bunkerville to Las Vegas for work. As they drove he had a captive audience to share the gospel , they would leave with a Book of Mormon, a warm dinner and at times a good night sleep. Together Betty and Joe served 2 missions, first being in The West Indies Mission spending all their time in Suriname, and their next mission was in the Brussels Belgium Netherlands Mission spending their time in their native country of Holland. They also served over 20 years as ordinance workers at the LDS St. George Temple. He left behind a great legacy; 12 children, 43 grandchildren, 28 great grandchildren, and his posterity continues to grow.

He is preceded in death by; his parents a brother Robert Dodenbier, a sister Fransina Schouten, 2 children BettyJo and David Dodenbier, and 2 grandchildren Tami and Troy Dodenbier. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Betty; and 10 living children Diana & Bryce Frehner (Mesquite, Nevada), Donna & Bevan Reber (Mesquite, Nevada), Denise & Raymond Whittier (Enoch, Utah), Darryll & Janet Dodenbier (Bunkerville, Nevada), Darlene & Michael Lister (Bunkerville, Nevada), Daniel & Laura Dodenbier (Tulsa, Oklahoma), Dina & Doug Bowers (Mesa, Arizona), Daphne & Scott Storie (Cedar City, Utah), Deborah & Karl Mulitalo (Mesquite, Nevada), Dale Dodenbier (Salt Lake City, Utah), a brother Bernardus Dodenbier (St. George, Utah), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held February 13, 2016 in the Bunkerville Chapel, 255 West Virgin Street, Bunkerville, Nevada. Viewing will be held 11:30-12:30 pm with the service beginning at 1:00 pm. Interment will be at the Bunkerville Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers please donate to the LDS Missionary Fund.