"And on the 8th day God looked down on his planned paradise and said
'It needs a Defender'
So God made an Air Force Veteran"

Col. Dennis Edwin Kansala, USAF Judge Advocate (Retired) passed with peace and grace on June 22, 2016 in San Antonio, Texas. The Air Force was Dennis' love and his life, and he was happiest when defending our country's freedom state side or abroad. Upon retirement in 1997, he spent winters in Seguin, Texas on the Guadalupe River; and summer months found him at the cabin in Luther, Montana.

Dennis was born to Edwin and Mildred Kansala in Red Lodge, Montana on September 21, 1942. He will forever be loved by those he left behind. He is survived by his wife Mary Lynn Kansala of Seguin, Texas, his daughters Kirsten (Jeff) Icke of Monument, Colorado and Cara Frey of Seguin, his grandchildren, Jack, Anna, Matt, Madelyn and Gibson, and his sister Shari and her husband Wally Nordstrom of Red Lodge. He shared his love of the outdoors with his grandchildren, nieces and nephews, especially hunting and fishing. He had a special bond with his cousins who affectionately called him the Colonel.

Those waiting in Heaven include his parents, Edwin and Mildred Kansala and his grandparents, Svante and Selma Lampi and Matt and Jennie Kansala Rauma.

A graduate of Red Lodge High School, Dennis was an outstanding athlete, musician and scholar. He attended the University of Montana receiving a B.A. degree and a Juris Doctorate from the U.M. School of Law.

During college Dennis joined the Air Force R.O.T.C., and became an active duty Staff Judge Advocate (JAG) upon his graduation from law school. He then served as an attorney in the Air Force including the positions of Staff Judge Advocate and Presiding Judge for the ensuing 30 years. He served as the Senior Air Force Legal Advisor during Operation Desert Storm, providing counsel on target selection for the coalition Air Forces. In 1991 Col. Kansala was awarded the Reichart Award that recognizes the outstanding legal achievement of a senior Air Force attorney.

A memorial service will be held at the Luther Community Church in Luther, Montana on July 18, 2016 at 11 A.M. There will be a graveside Inurnment Service at the Roscoe Cemetery following the luncheon.