It is with great sadness that we announce the peaceful passing of Dennis William Studer in Calgary, Alberta, on May 16, 2026, at the age of 76.
Dennis will be forever missed by his wife, Beatriz and his siblings; Ned (Linda), Louella, Katherine, Christine (Gary), Steve (Britta), John, and Teresa. Also left to cherish his memory are many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, cousins and his one aunty who is 102 years old. Dennis was very fond of the friendships he had made throughout his life. Including all his friends from the Filipino community, whom he cherished. He was predeceased by his parents, Orville and Mary (Flannery) Studer and Betty’s parents, Rafael and Pia (Garcia) Apilado.

Dennis was born on October 10, 1949, in Brooks, Alberta. He was the second oldest of eight children. Dennis mainly grew up in Empress AB, where he attended school and made many friends. While growing up there, he played hockey, and ball, went hunting and fishing and was involved in all the small town had to offer. His first job was a paper boy where he got to visit many of the towns people. When calculators came out, Dennis’s younger siblings would challenge him to math races, but he could always tell the answers before the calculator could. He had a very sharp mind and loved to read books on many subjects. Dennis also loved playing pool and spent many hours playing, if you could not find him at home, you could find him at a pool hall. There was always a card game of some kind or jigsaw puzzle on the card table in the Studer house. Dennis loved to challenge family to a game of crib, double solitaire or rumoli. And if there was no competition available, he might be playing solitaire.

Dennis had a close relationship with his Grandpa Flannery, who taught him the importance of his faith. He was an altar boy while growing up, and every summer he and his siblings would go to catechism classes in the neighboring town. Dennis was a Godfather to many people in his life. In turn, he helped fill their lives with a strong faith foundation by the example he set in his own life.
Dennis graduated high school in Medicine Hat and continued his education to become a Geological Technologist and worked for the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) for 37 years. This career cemented his love of rocks and fossils. He also found great peace in his many plants and succulents that mysteriously became less and less after he got married. Dennis found the prairies fascinating and always enjoyed family camping trips when his schedule would allow it. It was on one of those camping trips that Dennis announced a new love he had found and would be getting married that winter. 

Dennis met the real love of his life through his good friend. Both Dennis and Betty had found someone “as perfect as themselves!”. Dennis and Betty were married on Dec. 17, 1983, in San Francisco. They were married for 43 years. They both shared a strong Catholic faith and built their relationship on that.  They were very involved in the Church and developed many friendships across the different ministries they served. Some of the organizations that Dennis was part of were; Jesus Sacristan, the Filipino Catholic Society for 39 years, Come Lord Jesus Community, and New CASA.

Dennis had many different hobbies, one of which was travelling the world with Betty, prospecting for those rocks, shells, coral, and even coins. Some of his other hobbies were watching sports, especially the Montreal Canadiens and geography shows on television.

His love, faith, friendship, and compassion will continue to live on in the hearts of everyone who knew him. The family would like to thank all those who cared and prayed for him, including the doctors and nurses who worked with him as his health declined. A special thank you to Letitia who went an extra mile, even though she could never talk him into doing something with those eyebrows.

Dennis, Rest in Peace Now and Forever.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be gratefully accepted by the Epilepsy Association of Calgary or the Canadian Cancer Society.

A Vigil Prayer Service and time for fellowship will be held at Eden Brook Funeral Home, 24223 Township Rd 242, Calgary, on Thursday, June 4th at 7 PM. 
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 1525 45 Street S.E., Calgary, on Friday, June 5th, at 11 AM. Reception to follow at the Holy Trinity Activity Centre, 1514 44 St. S.E., Calgary

Condolences may be forwarded to the family by visiting www.edenbrookcemetery.ca. Arrangements entrusted to EDEN BROOK FUNERAL HOME AND RECEPTION CENTRE, 24223 Twp Rd. 242, Calgary, AB. T3Z 3K2