Obituary for Donald Dent

Donald James Dent, age 77, passed away on Friday, April 8, at Capitol Lakes Health Center in Madison, following a long illness.

He was born on Dec. 15, 1933, in Madison, the son of Harold and Veronica Dent. He graduated from Madison East High School, class of 1951. Donald then enlisted in the Navy. After completing Boot Camp at Great Lakes, Ill., he went through Airman Prep School, and Class A, Aviation Machinist Mate School, both at Norman, Okla. Donald served with a rating of Aviation Machinist Mate, Airman First Class. He was attached to an All Weather Flight Squadron, Naval Air Station, Corpus Christi, Texas. After completing active duty he returned to Madison, and attended Madison Business College and graduated with a degree in accounting. While in school, Donald worked part time at Wisconsin Mutual Insurance Co. After graduation he worked for Rayovac Corp., in the cost accounting department. Donald then moved to Milwaukee, and was employed as an auditor with the Milwaukee office of the Wisconsin Department of Revenue. After five years, Donald transferred to Madison and was employed as a field auditor with the Department of Health and Family Services. He was an Audit Section Chief for many years until his retirement. He was a Certified Government Financial Manager and a Certified Fraud Examiner.

Donald was an avid guitar player and taught guitar at Madison College for several years. He was also co-founder of the Madison Fencing Club.

Don is survived by his dear wife of many years, Paula. He is also survived by a son, Stephen Dent; and daughters, Elizabeth (Erik) Bayer and Jennifer (Greg) Vlack; four grandchildren, Ashley, Alexis, Brooke and Luke; and his former wife, Dorothy.

Don was preceded in death by his sister, Aileen Nolan and infant son, Michael.

Funeral services will be held at GUNDERSON EAST FUNERAL HOME, 5203 Monona Drive, Madison, at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 12, 2011. Visitation will be held at the funeral home from 4 p.m. until the time of the service on Tuesday. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to HospiceCare, Inc.

The family would like to extend their appreciation for the caring nurses and staff at Capitol Lakes and the Hospice support staff.