Dennis Elmo Waite was born on January 7, 1944 in La Grande, Oregon to parents Elden and Elizabeth (Hendrickson) Waite. He was raised in La Grande on a farm and ranch where he was provided with all the work and play he needed to become a good, dependable, young man. Dennis loved to hunt, fish, and go camping. His summers usually including a backpacking trip into the Eagle Cap wilderness was harvest was over. During school, Dennis enjoyed wrestling and he graduated from La Grande High School Class of 1962. He attended one year of college at Eastern Oregon College before serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Southern Germany.

After his mission, Dennis attended BYU-Provo. During that time, he had an opportunity to study abroad in Austria for 6 months. He graduated from BYU in June 1969; just in time to be drafted into the Marine Corp at the age of 25. Dennis served his country for 2 years at Camp Pendleton, California. It was here he met his wife Peni (Pauline Estelle Noel). He said it was love at first sight!

While attending church at the Oceanside ward, they got married on August 21, 1970. By 1973, with two young’uns in tow, they moved to his uncle’s cattle ranch on Paddy Creek, Oregon. The town of Pilot Rock was 24 miles away and is where all 11 children attended and graduated from school. Those children being Dieter (Bridget), Springe (Jason), Kresimin (Shelbey), Dmitri (Nicki), Terge (Sara), Liji (Christina), Patxi (Jessica), Petra Lucas (Mikey), Stetka, Seren Hansen (Daniel), and Tice.

In 2000, KL Ranches was sold and the family moved into Pilot Rock. Dennis went back to college at the age of 56 to get another degree to become a schoolteacher; he subbed all the way until retirement in 2017.

In 2020, he and Peni sold their home in Pilot Rock to be able to go on a church mission serving in Dayton, Washington. Once they returned, the couple found a home in Lexington, Oregon in 2023 and lived there until Elmo’s death.

Dennis was a quiet, unassuming man who touched the lives of many. He was a Boy Scout leader for about 25 years. He took his scouts on campouts just about every month, even if it meant camping out on the ranch during calving season!

Dennis was a faithful member of his church and attended the temple regularly with Peni. At the time of his passing, he and Peni had 40 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. His greatest joy was his family. Just look at what a person can do with 82 years of life!

Upon his death, he was reunited with his grandparents, parents, 4 brothers, and 2 grandbabies.

Sweeney Payton Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements. Please leave your condolence messages for the family below.