Dennis F. Troester

Dennis Francis Troester, CLU, ChFC passed away peacefully at home on June 6, 2023, at the age of 88 in the presence of his three children.  He was born on January 16, 1935, in Detroit, Michigan.  The 3rd of 6 children of John W. and Marian Meagher Troester of Grosse Pointe, Michigan.  He was proceeded in death by his parents and brothers, Reverend John W. Troester and the Honorable Edmund M. Troester, (wife) Carol Troester, his sister-in-law Pat Troester, and brother-in-law James Pasek. He is survived by his brother James D. Troester of Bay City, Mi, and sisters Marian A. Pasek of Rochester Hills, MI, Margaret (Robert) Beck of Southgate, MI, and sister-in-law Rosalie Riegle of Evanston IL.

On October 16, 1965, Denny married Kathleen T. Grummell of South Bend at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart on the campus of the University of Notre Dame. Kathleen passed away on November 1, 2006.  He is survived by his three children: Brian (Vicki) Troester, of Granger, IN, Maureen (Chris) Hurst of Chesterton, IN, and Tricia (Martin) Collins of Munster, IN.  He is also survived by his grandchildren whom he affectionately referred to as his “Elite Eight”: Chazz, Isabella and Jackson Troester, Brock, Aidan and Ingrid Hurst, and Mikayla and Michael Collins.  He was his grandchildren’s biggest fan and attended every sporting event, band concert, and school event he could to cheer on his “Elite Eight.”

Raised in Saginaw, Michigan he graduated from St. Mary’s Cathedral where he was the student body president and leading scorer on his high school’s 1953 state championship basketball team.  He graduated from Notre Dame in 1957.  He was then selected for the United States Naval Officer Candidate Program in Newport, Rhode Island, and was slated to start in April of 1958. Before he reported he was accepted into Georgetown Law School in Washington, D.C., and decided to do graduate work at Georgetown University.  In 1962 he joined the Development Staff at Notre Dame as the University embarked on its first major fund drive.  That group became known as “The Development Pioneers.” 

In 1969 he joined Northwestern Mutual, a company he was proud to represent for 47 years.  Active in his profession, he was president of the South Bend Association of Life Underwriters, the North Central Indiana Chapter of CLU, and the Michiana Estate Planning Council.  

Also active in the community, Denny served on the boards of St. Joseph High School, St Joe Valley Notre Dame Club, Irish Youth Hockey League, East Side Little League, St Anthony’s Catholic Church, and Big Brothers Big Sisters.  He was also the treasurer for his Notre Dame class of 1957.

Denny was a founding member of the Notre Dame Quarterback Club.  He was also inducted into the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame in November of 2016 along with his teammates on the 1953 State Championship basketball team. 

Denny leaves behind a legacy of his Catholic Faith, a loving family, a love of athletics, and service to others.   

A visitation will be held June 11 from 4-7 p.m. at Kaniewski Funeral Home 3545 N. Bendix Dr. South Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9:30 a.m. June 12, 2023, at Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Notre Dame, IN.   Memorial contributions in honor of Denny can be made to Christ Child Society of South Bend 2366 Miracle Lane Mishawaka, IN 46545. The family would like to thank Senior1 Care and their wonderful staff who cared for our father this last month and the staff at the Center for Hospice Care for their excellent care.

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