Dennis A. Carnell

Dennis Alvin Carnell, 76, of Ponca, entered into eternal life on February 25, 2024 surrounded by his family at the bedside where his son-in-law and grandchildren sang Amazing Grace.  The funeral service for Dennis will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 2, 2024 at the Ponca High School West gymnasium.  Visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2024, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Trinity Lutheran Church, Martinsburg, Nebraska, with the family present.  A prayer service will follow at 7:00 p.m.  Burial will be at Trinity Cemetery in rural Martinsburg.

Dennis was born on November 10, 1947, to Max and Frances (Crofoot) Carnell.  He graduated from Ponca High School in 1966 where he met the love of his life and soul mate, Nikki.  Dennis and Nikki (Von Minden) were married on March 1, 1969 at Trinity Lutheran Church, Martinsburg, Nebraska and have remained active members.  Denny had also been a church trustee at Trinity.  Denny and Nikki have always lived in Ponca, NE

As a business owner, Denny owned and operated DC Repair with his brother Kent for over 50 years, repairing farm equipment in the Ponca area and surrounding communities.  He was known as the “tractor doctor”.  There wasn’t anything he couldn’t fix and if he was not able to buy the part, he would make it.

Denny was a part of the Ponca Rodeo Association at its inception and was active with the rodeo for over 30 years, including serving on the rodeo committee, participating in trail rides, parades, the Trailblazer Saddle Club, cross-country races, and the “Boozer Gang”.  Denny was also an active member of the Ponca Fire Department for 29 years, many of which were spent serving as Fire Chief.  He remained an inactive member of the Fire Department even after retiring.  

Denny loved spending time with his family.  He loved going fishing and camping, especially with his grandchildren.  He was a fiercely proud grandfather, very supportive of his grandkids and attended as many of their extracurricular activities as possible.  He also loved to go to the co-op in the morning to have coffee with other members of the community.  Denny also enjoyed spending time in the winter with his wife, Nikki, in Texas.

Denny is survived by his wife of 55 years, Nikki (Von Minden) Carnell; children, Kris and Stacey (Vondrak) Carnell of Ponca, Tracy (Carnell) and Ken Hirschfeld of Papillion; Siblings, Terri and Jim Lamprecht of Ponca, Diane Neill of Ponca, Chuck and Rhonda Carnell of Gretna, Kent and Karla Carnell of Ponca, Lynnette and Don O’Dell of South Sioux City, Roger and Paula Carnell of Ponca, and Tyler and Ann Carnell of Blair; grandchildren, Brady Carnell of Ponca, Casey Hirschfeld and her fiance, Andrew Nguyen of Omaha, Camryn Hirschfeld of Omaha, Jacob and Ryan (Muhle) Hirschfeld of Lincoln, and Carrie Hirschfeld of Papillion; and great-grandchild, Hallie Hirschfeld of Lincoln.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Max and Frances Carnell, and brother-in-law, Curt Neill.

Denny’s family would like to thank St. Croix Hospice, Ponca Fire Department, Mayo Medical Clinic team, Air Med Transport, and Keller Pharmacy for the comfort and care they provided in his last days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be designated to Trinity Lutheran Church of Martinsburg, NE, Ponca Community Education Foundation, or the Ponca Fire Department.