Dennis Ray Skovgaard, 75, of Billings, passed away in the early hours of Friday, July 21, due to complications following surgery.  Born Feb 14, 1948, he was the first of seven childtren born to Ove Ray and Theresa Palensky Skovgaard.  His father had a Buick dealership in LaMoure, ND and he spent his first ten years there with extended family nearby.  At the age of 32 his father began working as a pilot and the family lived in Chyenne, Phoenix and Lewistown before settling in Billings were Dennis graduated from Billings Senior.  He attended Eastern majoring in history and graduated in 1970 with a BS degree.  He took pride in having paid all his own college expenses.     As an 8th grader in Lewistown Dennis met Cheryl Jenni, who he started dating during their junior year after hs family had moved to Billings; they married in 1969 and had a long and happy marriage, coping with career changes, geographical seperations and health challenges.  He was an advocate and fierce defender as Cheryl negotiated her brief air traffic control experience.  They were soulmates and best friends, both strong individuals with definite opnions.   Dennis was drafted into the Army during the Vietnam War, assigned to be an infantryman and trained as a NCO.  During the customary leave following orders to Vietnam, the reduction in forces there began and he recieved new orders for West Germany.   The second love of his life was flying.  His father was a general aviation pilot with almost 23,000 hours who taught Dennis to fly.  Dennis soloed on his 16th birthday.  After his military service he was able to use his VA benefits to obtain flight training after his discharge, receiving private pilot, instrument, certified flight instructor, multi-engine, commercial and air transport ratings.  He began flying for Lynch Flying Service instructing, flying Forest Service observers, pipeline patrols, charters and more.He grew to love flying over the Montana landscape.  Later he flew for Big Sky Airlines, Western Pacific Airlines and National Airlines, logging over 28,000 hours in aircraft ranging from the Cessna 140 to the Boeing 757.   In 2014 Dennis and Cheryl both retired and moved back to Billings. About retirement he said "If I had known how much I would like it, I'd have done it at 18."  They purchased recumbent trikes and enjoyed many hours riding together along Billings' excellent bike trails.  Both trikes are being donated to ForgottenNotGone where they will be used in suicide prevention efforts targeting military veterans.    The third great love of Dennis's life was the Green Bay Packers football team.  He and his brothers would gather for games with good food and Jack Daniels as often as possible.  They traveled to games more than once and also took in games in Phoenix.  It was, of course, a lot more fun when Green Bay won.     Dennis is survived by his wife, Cheryl Jenni; his moher, Theresa Skovgaard; siblings and spouses, Brenda and Bob Brown, Rebecca Skovgaard and Anthony Olek, Byrl and Ruth Skovgaard, Jeffry and Jan Skovgaard, and Melissa Skovgaard; in-laws, Gary and Kathryn Jenni, Kathie Jenni, Sandra Jenni Blair, and Debra Jenni; his aunt, Barbara Skovgaard Schultz, many nieces, nephews, and cousins; and a few special friends who know who they are.      He was preceded in death by his father Ray, his grandparents Emil and Sarah Skovgaard and Frank and Stella Palensky, and beloved sister Sheri Skovgaard Weber.

Cremation has taken place.  A celebration of Dennis's life will be held Aug 20 at 2 pm at Heights Family Funeral Home in Billings,  Condolances may be posted at HeightsFamilyFuneralHome.com  In lieu of flowers, please consider to donating to ForgottenNotGone.org or your local food bank.