Denis Dunnebacke

Denis Dunnebacke, age 70, passed away on July 16, 2026.

A lifelong resident of Lansing, music was central to Denis’s life. In his youth, he played the drums in a band and moved on to classical guitar. He eventually taught drum, guitar and keyboard to children and adults for many years. He was very active in church music ministry, which included working with a post-prison group. A devout Catholic, he arranged and composed music for Catholic masses and accompanied with guitar. In 1996, along with his good friend Fr. Bill Ashbaugh, he helped produce a CD titled “Mother of Life, Son of Mercy” that raised thousands of dollars for pro-life causes. Fr. Bill was the main singer, and all songs were engineered and mixed by Denis, who added his voice for harmony, and also added keyboard, bass, drums, trumpet and cello sounds. The lyrics for the title song were co-written by Denis and Fr. Bill, and the music was written by Denis.

He also loved to play tennis and was a competitive tennis player, often winning in tournaments. He loved to be fit and regularly ran or walked for exercise when he wasn’t playing tennis.

Denis was very invested in his family and cherished his nieces. When his nieces visited from Vermont, he would write a tune for them and get them to do duets with their recorders. His nieces enjoyed their fun, lovable uncle. He cared deeply for his younger brother David, and comforted him while he was in the hospital for almost a year with complications of diabetes. Denis visited him often until he passed away in 2006.

Denis made friends easily with people from all walks of life, young and old. He was friendly and witty, and always had something to say about the many interests that he had.

He is survived by his sister, Renee Lagala, nieces Amanda Fortier (Christopher) and Carmen Lagala, grand nieces Jocelynn Fortier and Arielle Fortier, grand nephews Brady and Cameron Fortier, his brother Craig Dunnebacke and nieces Crystal and Courtney Dunnebacke as well as an aunt and many cousins and a very special friend, Annemiek Schilder.

He is predeceased by his parents, Leo and Rosemary Dunnebacke, his brother David and his sister-in-law Barbara Dunnebacke.