Dennis Appelgate

Dennis Appelgate, 61, prominent Toledo attorney, died early Monday morning, January 20th, in the comfort of his home. His last and most difficult trial ended at 12:20am with his family by his side. Memorial services will be held at 10:30am on Saturday, January 25th, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Tama with Pastor Brian Oliver of the Christ United Methodist Church of Toledo officiating. Visitation will be held from 4pm-7pm on Friday also at the church. A memorial fund is being established. For condolences, please visit http://www.mitchellfh.com/. The Mitchell Family Funeral Home is caring for Dennis and his family. Ph. 641-844-1234. Born on Valentine's Day of 1952 in Marshalltown, he was the son of Toledo businessman Dwight and Shirley (Bryant) Appelgate. He graduated from the South Tama High School's Class of 1970, Drake University in 1974 and Drake School of Law in 1977. While in his junior year of high school, he caught the eye of a young Sharlene Hanson. The two were united in marriage on June 30th, 1973, by her father, Rev. Norris Hanson, at the Lutheran Church where Norris served in Ringsted, Iowa. They resided in Des Moines until he completed school and his first year of practice. In 1978, Dennis returned home to Toledo to work at Mickelson, Roan, and Werner (now Mickelson, Roan, and Appelgate) and served his hometown with compassionate and loving care. Dennis served on many boards of directors in the community and was also a member of the Christ United Methodist Church in Toledo, Tama County Bar Associations, Toledo Kiwanis Club, Tama Country Club and was undoubtedly the finest golfer in the Boo-Ray Golf Group. His wife, kids, and being "Papa" to his grandchildren meant the world to him as did traveling, camping (TEAM-CW), leadership roles, painting, and spending time with friends. He had a deep passion for music and a natural ability to offer guidance to those in need. He loved well and had a very generous heart. Left to cherish his memory are Sharlene, his loving wife of 40 years, his children: Angela (Brian) Hoisington of Olathe, Kansas along with their children Mallory, Austin (A1C USAF), Avery, and Addison; Stephanie (Joe) Siskind of Cedar Rapids, and Benjamin Appelgate of San Diego as well as his mother Shirley of Toledo, sister Linda (Jim) Walsh of Marshalltown, and brother Thomas (Teresa) Appelgate of West Palm Beach, Florida as well as many close friends. In death, Dennis rejoined his father Dwight who died in October of 2012, his grandparents Alva and Elizabeth Appelgate and Thomas and Esther Bryant and his precious "Aunty Lu" Giger.