After a full, productive and adventurous life, Dennis L. Saugstad Sr., 92, passed away peacefully on May 13, 2023 in Kansas City, MO. Denny was born April 18, 1931 and grew up on a farm outside Beresford, SD. He was a remarkable son, husband, father grandfather and great grandfather. Family, faith, farming and flying were the world to him. Denny really did attend school in a one classroom school with around 20 other students where he excelled and completed 2 grade levels in one year. He attended Augustana Academy in Canton, SD for high school. In 1948 Denny pitched three no hitter baseball games in the American Legion League and made it to the South Dakota State Championship game. Denny started at Concordia College in Moorhead, MN that fall. Over the next 2 years he took all the Math and Accounting courses the college offered and he lettered in baseball both years. Denny then transferred to the University of Nebraska in Lincoln where he completed his degree in Business Administration. During the spring of his senior year, his intramural team was the university softball champions. Not surprisingly, he was named pitcher on the All University Team. Following college graduation in 1952 Denny entered the US Navy and began naval flight training in Pensacola, FL. During flight training, he began attending Immanuel Lutheran Church in Pensacola and met the love of his life, Joyce Ann Dickson. Although both were busy pursuing their early careers (Denny in flight school and Ann in nursing school), they remained close and married in 1955. Denny had 2 terms of service in the Navy that took him to places as varied as Iceland, Morocco, Korea, Scotland and Hutchison, KS, to mention a few. His assignments included being an Aircraft Commander, Flight Instructor and Flight Examiner. Denny’s flying career continued in 1956 when he accepted the position of Junior Copilot with Trans World Airlines in Kansas City, Mo. Over the years, Denny’s work ethic and dedication led to promotions and opportunities. One of which was a particularly interesting assignment. From August 1969 to July 1971 Denny was assigned by TWA to be the Manager of Flight Operations and Flight Training with Saudi Arabian Airlines in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Through this challenging opportunity, he gained valuable experience which furthered his career. It was also an international learning experience for his wife and 3 daughters and while living in Saudi Arabia they welcomed a son, their youngest child. Following Saudi Arabia, Denny and his family returned to Kansas City. He purchased farmland in Weston, MO, and they built a home on the property where they lived for the next 47 years. Denny raised cattle, kept horses and grew corn, soybeans, wheat and milo. Over Denny’s 35 year TWA career he worked his way to become a Captain, flying 9 different aircraft and logging over 11,000 hours. More importantly, he was a Flight Instructor, Supervisor, Flight Manager and Check Pilot, putting in an additional 8,500 hours in simulators and check flights. Denny and Ann joined St. John’s Lutheran Church over 50 years ago which gave them a faith filled life. Denny was actively engaged in church planning and played influential roles in decisions that have had a lasting impact, including supporting the right of women to vote as full members of the congregation. He served on numerous committees, assumed leadership roles as needed and was President of the congregation several times. Denny’s community involvement also included election to the West Platte School Board, for which he also served as president. During that time, his youngest daughter graduated from High School and he was privileged to sign her high school diploma. Following his TWA career, Denny, always eager to fly and instruct, became the Presidential Pilot for the Kazakhstan Airlines and then trained the future pilots for the Kazakhstani Presidential 747. Dennis is survived and will be missed by his loving wife, Ann, of 68 years, his 4 children, Marlys Hougland (Karl), Janis Saugstad Morris (Alec), Carla Ohlhausen (Bret), and Dennis L. Saugstad Jr. (Nancy), grandchildren Ricky Hougland, Kyle Robbins (Tim), Jacob Ohlhausen (Rachel), Gretchen Ganim (Chase), Reid Saugstad, Riley Saugstad and Drew Saugstad, and one Greatgrandchild, Parker Robbins. Denny’s funeral service is May 31, 2023 at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Farley, MO. Visitation will be from 10am to 11am followed by the service and interment at Graceland Cemetery in Weston, MO. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 98 Main Street, Farley, MO 64028.