Dear Friends,
It is with a heavy heart that I write to tell you that Denny passed away this afternoon. His death was peaceful and gentle and we are comforted knowing that he is happy once again.
Your love, concern, and prayers over the past year and a half will never be forgotten. You provided the strength we needed to get through the challenges and were there to celebrate the small victories. Thank you.
With much love,
Carla, Chip (Jenn, Connor, and Grant,) Shannon (Doug, Ryan, and Keira,) and Dave
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53 comments:
Thoughts and prayers are with you.
Katy Lee Connor
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Mr. O made a difference in my life by always challenging me to uncover the truth and meaning behind the literature. Mr. O, thank you for seeing the potential in all of us.
Mr. O was a great teacher. I loved having him for senior English and also for creative writing. Class of '94 rocked.
You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Jenny Lee Laird
My thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time. Mr. O was one of the best. He'll be greatly missed.
Morgan Dally Schueler
Carla and Family - Denny is a true inspiration to all of us. You are in our prayers.
Our deepest sympathies are with you, Mrs. O, and your family. Your dedication and love and Mr.O's courage and quiet dignity have been so touching and inspiring. Thank you for touching our lives and teaching us about how to live each day with meaning and significance. God's peace be with you through this difficult time.
My prayers are with the entire family. I am honored to have been a student of Mr. O and especially grateful for his guidance as he helped me through my first Journalism class at XHS and first news articles I authored. Mr. O, thank you for being an amazing teacher. You will be missed dearly. --Stacy Eckes-Borys
Dear Oudenhoven family,
The Xavier community's loss is Heaven's gain. I could sense the impact that Denny had on the kids while I was at school tonight and as I watched the band members march in "O" formation for the Appleton Christmas parade. He will truly be missed.
The Williamsons
I'm so sorry and you are all in my thoughts and prayers. Mr O is a truly remarkable and unforgettable man. - Sarah (Welch) Mix
Mr. O has made a great impact on my life. Not only with writing and creativity, but with his sense of humor and the way he composed himself no matter how difficult or trying the situation. You are definitely missed by many students and friends. Thank you!
Mr.O will be missed! He was such an awesome person, and an even better teacher. Mr O. inspired me to pursue my education and to work on a degree in English and Journalism. I will never forget when he said to me about my 12th grade English Project. RIP Denny O. =(
If I can affect even one person to the degree Mr. Oudenhoven moved so many hundreds of his students, I'll have lived a successful life. Rest in peace, Denny O.
What better confirmation of a life lived well, than to have so many of the posted comments come from former students whose lives have been changed by the magic of "Mr. O."
Thank you, Carla, for allowing us to be part of your incredible journey. You, your family,and Denny are remembered in our prayers.
Lee & Cathie Stuyvenberg
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Mr. O was a wonderful teacher and he will be missed by all.
Nicole (Seymour) Fox, XHS Class of 1993
Carla and family-
my prayers and thoughts are with all of you. Mr. O was a great teacher and truly will be missed.
Sari (Lamers) Heller
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Mr. O you were an inspiration to everyone who knew you. I know you will be missed by everyone's life you touched. God Bless!
Kristen (De Bruin) Everson
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Carla. Denny was such a profound influence on our children and so many of the Xavier community! He will be missed.
"To laugh often and much; To win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children; To earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends; To appreciate beauty, to find the best in others; To leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or a redeemed social condition; To know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
If this is truly the definition of success, then I think Mr. O has succeeded more greatly than any person I know. He was an amazing teacher and a wonderful human being with an entertaining sense of humor. I will never forget what he did for me and my education. Mr. O, you will live on for many years in the hearts of students everywhere!
It brought tears to my eyes reading this blog. Mr. O, you will be sorely missed but I know you're still with us in all the students you touched and in your family. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
My deepest sympathy for the loss of Mr. O. He is one of a kind - teacher, mentor, and coach. I still hear his disciplined inspiration every time I go to write or edit a document. His sense of humor, strength, and love of life will not be forgotten. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
I am thankful to have had the opportunity to learn from him.
Christy Taylor '92
May you and your family find comfort in knowing Mr O will continue to influence so many people. Not many people can say this about their journey on earth. What a wonderful way to have lived!
Thank you for sharing so much with this blog. God Bless! Julie SMC '76
Our deepest sympathy is with the family. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with you.
Tim, Sandy, Andy and Nick Forster
To Carla O and Family-
I'm so sad and sorry to hear of Denny's O's end to his long, and extremely courageous battle with his illness. I will hold memories of his class close to my heart...forever. I'm so glad he introduced music to his students...I will ALWAYS and have ALWAYS thought of him every time I hear Supertramp's Dreamer. Rest in Peace, the pain is over for you, but will continue and fade with time for your family. Love to you, Carla. Julie Jack 1988
Our thoughts are with you.
The Greinigs
Mr. O was a great English teacher, homeroom advisor and Track coach! He will be greatly missed and remembered always! You are in my thoughts and prayers.
Kate F
XHS 07
Rest in Peace Mr. O. I feel blessed and honored to have had the privilege of learning from you. Prayers and condolences to your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Mrs. O. As many have said before, Mr. O was truly a great man, excellent role-model and an inspirational teacher. May his soul rest in peace.
Abby Vogt '03
Thoughts and prayers with your family during this time. Mr O was a wonderful man!
Steve Van Nuland '96
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Heaven has truly gained an inspirational teacher of life and literature.
Thank you, Mr. O., for the wonderful years you were my 'guide' through creative writing, literature, and life. I will never forget you!
Kira '98
My thoughts and prayers are with your family. Mr. O made a big difference in my life. He was a great teacher because he challenged everyone to be better. He will be missed. Amy Wilber, Class of 1999.
Mrs. Oudenhoven,
Thank you for your strong commitment to us here on the blog. Your strength is amazing. God has been working miracles through you as well. Be strong and know that God is by your side and that Mr. O is celebrating new life with Jesus!
Mr. O will be missed.
Michelle
Prayers for peace and acceptance are being be sent your way. Mr. O was an amazing coach, teacher, father and man. I am thankful to have had him as part of my journey at Xavier. With sympathy,
Nicole Ebben '94
To the man that taught us all far beyond the books.
My thoughts and prayers to all of you.
His students are better people for having known him. A role model life well spent.
Thoughts and prayers and peace for you and the family
-Claire Jadin '01
He was unforgettable...a humanitarian as well as a great teacher. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
This is devastating news. Mr. Oudenhoven was a wonderful teacher and coach. So much of what he taught me still resonates with me. He was a great man and will be greatly missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Carla and the rest of the family.
Stephen Wisnefski
The Johnson family was blessed to have Mr.O"" mentor and touch the lives of our three children. He was an inspiration to all of us. God bless you all. You are in our prayers this Thanksgiving as you have been throughout the past months.
Mel & Mary Ann Johnson
Carl and Paula Schroth, along with Denny's students Joel, Sarah, and Beth send you our condolences. Know that Denny made a difference in each of our Children. He always had a smile for everyone, and made each of his students feel valued.
Carla, may you find true peace, knowing Denny is in a much better place.
Hugs from all of us!
My prayers are with your family. I was in Creative Writing and Senior Honors English (as well as track) with Mr. O. He was such a great teacher and encouraging coach. I think I owe my As on college papers to the feedback he gave me while I was in his classes!
Mr. O made the world a much better place. His footprints have reached well beyond the confines of Xavier High School. While we pray for his family, we are gladdened to know that Mr. O is now with his Savior.
Mark Heuring
Class of 1981
Dear Mrs. O,
I am extremely sad to hear about the passing of Mr. O. He was truly an amazing and supportive teacher. My sisters and I loved having him for our teacher and we are grateful for all he taught us. We will miss him dearly.
God bless your family.
-ThaoMee, Ge, Pla, Mary, and Kathy Xiong
As one of the many teens that helped refurnish the home in appleton, we all are deeply saddened by our lost. We would like to thank you Carla and Denny for making us feel like part of your family while working along side you. It was an honor to serve some of the most kind-hearted people around. We all will keep you in our prayers.
Love,
The Saint Philip Youth Group
I'm thankful for everything Mr. O gave to his students and the community. He will be missed.
Below is a photo of Mr.O's AP English class 2004
http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y72/ldmay/?action=view¤t=APEnglishClass2004.jpg
Dear Mrs. Oudenhoven~
How true that Denny O. touched so many lives! I am forever grateful for the "D" he gave me on my first critical essay freshman year, and for the support he provided throughout the course of the term. Let's just say... that was my last D, thanks to his guidance, care, and concern. No doubt you have received and will continue to receive similar and wonderful tributes to this gifted teacher.
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this profoundly sad time.
Stephanie (Pilon) Higgins
Class of '85
Stephanie
Thank you Mr. O for challenging me to work hard, learn and appreciate my talents - it made me a better person - My prayers are with you and your family - To this day I appreciate 'Great Expectations'
Allen - SMC 80'
Carla and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Denny was an amazing person who touched so many lives. And what a sense of humor. Hold tight to your wonderful memories. God bless.
The VanDynHoven's
Carla - My thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time. It is so hard to lose a wonderful partner.
How kind and loving of you to facilitate Denny's care at home. He must have treasured being in such lovely surroundings. When I would look out and see the Canada geese on the hill I'd think "they're here to visit Denny". God was smiling on you both.
Take good care and allow your wonderful support system to minister to you. Sue L
Mrs. O and Family,
I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. Mr. O was a great teacher and he always supported his students in everything they were involved in. He will be greatly missed.
Jason V.
Karla, sorry to hear that Denny passed away. Our small group of teens from Dallas really enjoyed getting to know you and Denny. One of the teens that worked on your home will be speaking of his experience this Sunday during our SPY night. Know that we are thinking and praying for your family.
I am doing what I love to today because of what Denny O said to me in class. After telling us we were going to be doing a lot of writing for the year he said this..."If you write a paper you know about and care about you will write an "A" paper every time."
I took that advice from him when I decided what I was going to do with my life. I heard his voice in my head but the words were a little different.
"If you do something you know about and care about you will do very well"! Thanks to Mr. O I now am living the life of my dreams teaching martial arts to children and adults and only hope to touch as many lives as he has. Thank you Mr. O!!!!
God Bless!
Carla...there are no words to really express sympathy
but hope it helps knowing so many care so very much. Thank you so much for the call from Shannon.... Love you my friend and keeping you in my prayers.
Caren
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