Obituary
Dustin Edward Flannery
Dustin Edward Flannery passed away at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center on January 1st, 2022 with his parents at his side after a courageous battle with the COVID-19 virus. He was born on April 8th, 1982 at St. Francis Hospital in La Crosse, WI, the youngest of four rambunctious boys to Pamela and Patrick Flannery.
Dustin is survived by the love of his life, Yanet Sanchez Hernandez; his parents, Pamela (Connie) Tennant, Patrick (Marsha); three older brothers, Sean, Ryan, and Dominique; paternal Aunt Maureen (John) Wieland; maternal Uncle Scott (Cindy) Tennant; maternal Aunt Heidi (Rob) Lang; nephew, Aidan Flannery; niece, Emma Flannery; step-brother, David (Natalia) Muller; step-sister, Dena Muller-Muamba; step nephew, Augustine Muamba; step-nieces, Ella Muamba, Lucy Muller; many cousins and lifelong friends.
Dustin was preceded in death by maternal great-grandparents, Herbert and Eva (Pilon) Keyes and Bernard and Edith (Petersen) Tennant; paternal great- grandparents, Joseph and Clara (Tschumper) Schnedecker and John and Agnes (Shea) Flannery; maternal grandparents, Milton and Audrey (Keyes) Tennant; paternal grandparents, John Ambrose and Helen (Schnedecker) Flannery; sister-in-law, Nataliya (Prus) Flannery; cousin, Michael (Mikey) Wieland; many great aunts and uncles and his favorite Golden Girl Betty White.
Dustin graduated from Onalaska High School in 2000 after beginning with the Onalaska School District since kindergarten, attending Onalaska Middle School, Irving Pertzsch Elementary School and Farver Hill School.
Dustin loved the sport of ice hockey and played with the Onalaska Tornadoes from age 4 through Bantams. His preferred position was Goalie but every now and then he would skate out at the center position just so he could score a hat trick. During high school, he was the goalie for the Hilltoppers.
Dustin played baseball for many years in his youth, playing mostly for the Boys and Girls Club of La Crosse at second base. In addition to playing baseball he loved going to Milwaukee Brewers games and attending Packer games at Lambeau field. He was looking forward to supporting the Packers in the playoff games.
As an adult, he enjoyed gaming on an international level and developed many close friendships through both hockey and gaming.
For the past fourteen years, Dustin worked for Kenrich Foods of West Salem as a delivery driver in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Iowa. He loved his job and enjoyed the freedom of being on the road and being able to interact with various customers who appreciated his good natured personality and thought so highly of him.
Dustin chose not to be vaccinated against COVID-19 out of fear. Because of this, his family would like memorials sent to the Onalaska School District for COVID education.
Dustin loved his family and his family loved him. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him.
A private memorial service will be held at 11:00 am on Friday January 14th, 2022, public are invited to attend via Zoom meeting, by using the following link: Dustin Flannery Memorial Service Zoom Link
A public celebration of life will be held at a later date.
To view Dustin’s memorial tribute video, please use the following link: Dustin Flannery Memorial Video
I did not know Dustin, but please accept my condolences. How sad. Thank you for telling his story. I will be making a donation.
Dustin was my classmate and we played hockey together. He was such a kind man.
Heartbreaking to read this. My sympathy to you Pam and your family. From your viterbo classmate.
So dedicated to Kenrich Foods and enjoyed his friends within the company and the customers he delivered to. We miss your smile and laid back personality. Rest in peace Dustin.?
Rest In Peace Dear Dustin
You will be missed?
Fly high with the Angels
Much love❤️
Auntie Maureen
So sorry to hear of Dustin’s passing. I had the pleasure of knowing him through work. I would see him every Wednesday picking up. He was such a great guy to talk too! He will be sadly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with you!
We’re sorry for your great loss. Dustin was obviously a fine young man who had a positive impact on many. May beautiful memories sustain you.
Your old neighbors,
The Blumentritt family
My sincere condolences on your loss. RIP Dustin.
Thank you to everyone for your kind comments. Dustin was a very kind, gentle and loving person. We will all miss him greatly.
We are so sorry for your loss. Our thoughts are with Dustin’s entire family. We plan to make a donation to the Onalaska School District for COVID education.
Dustin was dear friend from school. I’m absolutely heartbroken. He is a big part of who I am today, and I’m honored to carry that with me. I have countless lifelong memories…..fond memories….life defining memories from our friendship. He was a quiet, gentle, too humble for his own good, yet adventurous and fun loving person if he trusted you. I hate leaving a comment like this because it will never come close to explaining what kind of person he was, or what he meant to a childhood best friend………I’m sorry for all those that were lucky enough to know him. My thoughts and prayers are with his family friends.
Jake thank you for this. You so captured who he was. I, too, have fond memories of you and the friendship you shared. Pam
Dustin was my friend and I’m going to miss him. I’ll miss his quite yet funny personality. He was such a kind person. I’ll remember the times a group of us high school buddies would get together for a hockey game or concert and catch up on old times. I’m so sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers go out to his family.
Brett, thank you for your thoughts. Hockey was so much a part of his life and he really enjoyed the concerts you guys went too. Pam
Sending our most heartfelt condolences.
Thank you so much…Marsha
Dear Marsha, my thoughts are with you and your family as you grieve the loss of Dustin. With hopes that memories of him bring some comfort and gratitude…
Thank you Shana
Pam, Connie and family. I am so sorry to hear about Dustin. He sounds like a wonderful young man. He was blessed with a wonderful family. I will keep you in my prayers
Sheila Schell
I did not know Dustin, but I am so sorry for your loss. His obituary pays great tribute to him. He seemed liked a wonderful person! Your honesty in the obituary is admirable. Thank you.
Pat, Pam and family-
We are so sorry for your loss. I remember Dustin, Dom and Ryan hanging out with my boys in the old neighborhood. RIP Dustin ?
Thank you Holly
My deepest sympathy to Dustin’s family. Did not know Dustin personally, but grew up and remain lifelong friends with Pat, his great father and friend. Pat loves all his boys so much. I am thinking of him and Pam. Rest in peace, lovely Dustin.
So sorry for your loss. Billie and I too want to thank you for telling his story and bring all up to date on Dustin. We first met Dustin and family when he was on the pee wee hockey team that won the State Championship.
To Dustin’s family – When I think of Dustin, I remember his dark hair, his smile, and his gentle nature. He was a member of our hockey family for years, hence part of our hockey history. We are privileged to have known him. Rest In Peace Dustin.
Our sympathy & prayers go out to Dustin’s family & friends ~ may Dustin rest in eternal life with the Lord. Judy, Mark, Lori & Danny Lonkoski
I am so sorry for your loss . I always enjoyed talking with Dustin on his morning deliveries. Such a kind gentle man.
Dustin..Rest in Peace. Say hello to your cousin Michael for me. Lots of Love to your Family. Hope you all find some Peace knowing he is in God’s Arms. You Boys be good for Jesus!!! Love to All!!
-Kristine Schlicht
My deepest condolences to Pam, Connie, Pat, Marsha, Sean, Ryan, Dom, and all other family members and friends. Dustin will always be remembered as a quiet but easy going, fun-loving guy! He will truly be missed! Thank you for expressing the importance of getting COVID vaccinated! We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
Bill and I fondly remember Dustin as the happy little guy from down the block and a wonderful playmate to our children. Our deepest sympathy to your family and bless you for your efforts for Covid education Love Bill & Lisa Craig
Pat, Pam and family. We are truly sorry to hear of the tragic passing of your beloved son. Prayers for peace and comfort for you all during this sad time.
I didn’t know Dustin. He sounds like a great guy that was taken far too soon. I’m so sorry for your loss. I can’t imagine your grief.
Thank you for educating people in his memory. I will be making a donation.
My deepest sympathies are with your family Dusty! You are a good man and were always a welcome site when you delivered to our store. Dustin was a true professional, respectful, courteous, hardworking, and easygoing. You will not be forgotten. Rest In Peace my friend.
Chris, Dustin loved his job and his customers. Your words reveal just how much. His Mom
I am a co-worker’s of Ryan’s and was not lucky enough to know Dustin. I am so incredibly sorry for your loss. My 13 year-old is a goalie and I’ll ask that he save a few in honor of Dustin. I will be thinking of your family. Nothing prepares you for such a loss, but please know there are so many that want to support you.
Pam, Pat, and families,
We were so sorry to read about Dustin. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.
Jim & Sue Ann Tracy
Rest in peace Dustin. You will be forever missed but never forgotten.
We love you and you will be in our hearts forever.
Aunt Heidi & Uncle Rob
I was so sorry to see this about Dustin. As one of Dustin’s high school teachers, I will always remember Dustin for being a kind and well liked student who had a passion for hockey. He will be missed. My thoughts and prayers to your family.
Dustin and I were classmates at Onalaska. Our birthdays were only a few days a part, but I never knew we were born also in the same hospital. He was kind, patient, and generous growing up, and I always appreciated this about him. I’ll forever remember his passion for hockey and his pride for his goalie position. My heart goes out to his family, and especially his parents. I hope you can be kind and patient with yourselves as you navigate these difficult days/weeks/months. May the lovely memories you have of Dustin bring you some comfort during this time.
Erin. .thank you for your kind words. Like Jake, you have captured his wonderful personality. We are proud of the man he became. His Mom
Our sympathies to the entire Flannery family. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
My King…. There are no words to describe how wonderful and magical you were, I loved you without knowing you physically and you made my days wonderful and as I always told you… you are a blessing in my life and thus you will prevail forever. My love goes with you and if it is not in this life maybe in the next my sweet Dustin I love you, my sincere condolences to your beloved family. ?
Thank you for all the love and patience you had for me … love you ♥️
And now his family knows he was looking forward to bringing his dear Yanet to Wisconsin in July. It warms my heart to know he was loved and loved in return. Pam
Pam and Family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Dustin was one of the best friends my sons ever had. He was the kind of person that you would hope your kids would choose for a friend, and mine were lucky to have him as theirs. This is incredibly sad. Much love to the Flannery family.
His hockey friends were such special buddies.
I had the pleasure of being Dustin’s boss for the last 14 years. When I hired him I wasn’t sure he would last a week. He was awful quiet and making a change from cooking to driving. But I can honestly say he is one of the best drivers I have ever been around. He would do anything that you ever asked of him, and more importantly he was great with the customers.
You don’t always get to hear from customers how good your drivers are but ours sure let us know. Dustin was always liked and all of his customers told us so. That is just how he was.
Dustin you will for ever be missed by everyone at Kenrich and all of your customers.
We wish our condolences to the entire Flannery family and may you rest in peace Dustin.
He loved you and Kenrich Foods, Carl. Pam
I am saddened to hear about the untimely passing of Dustin. I enjoyed aiding in his education and I can still picture him as an eight-year-old. He was special! The memories of Dustin are cherished. My thoughts and prayers are with Ryan, Dom, Sean, Pam, and Pat.
Naomi, thank you. He was indeed special. I think of you often as one of the very special teachers my sons had. Pam
Being a hockey player, Dustin touched the lives of his teammates and friends who knew him as their dependable goalie and friend. I can remember his quiet, pleasant and unassuming nature. I am thankful to have crossed paths many times with Dustin during our time playing hockey, and I am grateful for the memories his friends have shared with me. He will live on in the lives of all of his many hockey friends. From the Onalaska Hockey alumni group, we send our deepest condolences.
Hockey was his life. He started by pulling out Ryan’s hockey bag and putting on all his gear. He would run around the house shooting an imaginary puck. He was 3 years old.
My deepest condolences to Dustin’s family and friends. I knew Dustin from school and from my days of working at The Omni Center where we interacted often with hockey players. Thanks for your transparency regarding COVID-19- I will make a donation in Dustin’s honor.
My heart goes out to your family. Dustin, by game known as Gam was an amazing friend to all he came across. I’ve known him for about 3 years now and he was a wonderful soul and was always wanting to help others. The world has grown a bit more dim with this loss.
There are no right words to erase the pain you feel. Ever since Dustin’s passing there isn’t a day I don’t think of you all. You can tell by Dustin’s picture he had a beautiful soul. I know you’ll keep all the memories you have close and I pray they bring you some sort of comfort. My deepest sympathies as you try to navigate through these difficult times.
I met King Gam 3 years ago also in the game Got, he was always very friendly and willing to help whoever approached him. He allowed me to live funny anecdotes next to him and next to his queen Jade, my heart goes out to his family and my prayers. Rest in peace King Gam
I didn’t know your son, but I am a Mom, and I can’t imagine your pain. Please let this be a wake up call about vaccinations.
Thinking of you.
Our deepest sympathy .
Words are inadequate at a time like this. It was shocking to hear the sad news. Sincere wishes of sympathy to all of Dustin’s family. In the world of hockey the goalie is special (especially when he has a great smile!)
Dustin was indeed a special person.
R.I.P. Dustin
I did not know Dustin well, but he was a admired son, colleague, friend and classmate to all that knew him. Words like these are a true gift to your memories and his legacy. Bravo Dustin!! You meant a lot to so many. . .
Thanks Bill! Dustin was one of the brothers who helped tear down the garage. He, like you, was a kind, generous, unselfish person