Obituary - Dennis Kay Rechel

Dennis Kay Rechel passed away at home on July 15, 2025. He was born Aug. 2, 1946, in Fallon to Walter “Pal” Edward Rechel and Helen LaRae Morgan Rechel Miller. Dennis was the middle child between Darrel and Darlene. He lived in Fallon and graduated from Churchill County High School in 1965. He moved to Yerington in 1998.

Dennis married Violet Casey-Miller, and they had five children together. Throughout his life, Dennis embarked on many career adventures. He worked as a meat cutter, buckaroo, carpenter, trapper, and hunting guide. Dennis was an avid athlete, playing many years of softball and basketball. He loved the outdoors and was an excellent hunter and guide. He coached Little League baseball and was a fan of anything his children did.

He was preceded in death by his parents and great-granddaughter Marlie Grace. He is survived by his wife, Lucy; brother Darrel (Carrie) Rechel; sister Darlene (John) Short; sons Dennis (Kim) Rechel, Jeff (Jodi) Rechel, Tim Rechel; daughters Kimi (Jesse) Melendy, Michelle Rechel; 14 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.

In 1998, Dennis guided a long-time archery friend, Lucy Snyder, on an archery cow elk hunt. It was the beginning of a long and happy relationship. They were married on Dec. 29, 2000, and honeymooned in Arizona hunting javelina and Coues deer. Their life revolved around family, Rotary, archery, and hunting. Hunting was one of the strongest loves shared by Dennis and Lucy. He taught her much, and they enjoyed elk, sheep, deer, javelina and antelope hunts together as well as making three safaris to Africa.

Dennis was a leader, especially when it involved his passions — archery, hunting and trapping. He served in leadership roles for Fallon Bowmen, Walker River Bowmen, Nevada Bowhunters Association, Nevada Trappers Association and the Guides Association. His voice of reason and compromise was respected by his fellow sportsmen and hunters. He was always ready to put his back into these organizations. Whether it was setting up an archery shoot, guiding the Nevada Hero’s donation hunt, hosting the Nevada Bighorns Unlimited dinner, or Nevada Fur Sale, he was always one of the first to arrive and the last to leave, bringing tools, know-how and enthusiasm. He mentored his own sons and other young aspiring guides.

Dennis continued to work during the non-hunting season with his son, Jeffrey, in Rechel and Sons Construction for many years. He tired of the hour-long commute to and from job sites and joined Lucy as head of Snyder Livestock’s construction and maintenance department, installing water troughs, doing concrete and construction work, welding fences, and, as his ability to do physical work waned, he became the parts runner and made dozens of trips to Reno.

Dennis worked until Parkinson’s disease and chronic back and knee pain forced him to retire. In retirement, Dennis continued to grow a beautiful garden, sharing the bounty with family and friends.

In the last two years, as Parkinson’s robbed Dennis of the activities he loved and forced him to a recliner, then a bed, Dennis maintained a keen interest in the things he loved. He was incredibly knowledgeable about Nevada hunting and always willing to share his expertise with other hunters. He hunted as long as he was able, taking a bull elk and a beautiful mule deer with a crossbow in 2023 and an antelope buck with a rifle last fall.

We remember Dennis for his quick wit and dry sense of humor, his impatience with sloppy work or lazy shortcuts, and his pride in his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He loved his dogs and spoiled them as most people spoil grandchildren.

Lucy will greatly miss Dennis. He was her husband, best friend, guide, archery addict and hunting partner.

Please help us celebrate the life of this great hunter on July 25 at 10 a.m. at the Catholic Center in Yerington, 311 Virginia Street. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Fallon NBU, P.O. Box 217, Yerington, NV 89447. Lunch will be provided. If you would like to bring food, please bring a dessert.

Be aware that it is Night in the Country weekend. If you are traveling, traffic may be bad, especially on Alternate 95A. There are no available motel rooms in Yerington