Dennis Lee Masters went to be with his Savior and Lord on June 30, 2020 with his wife, Barbara by his side. He was a faithful husband, father, grandfather, brother, friend, and servant of God.
Dennis was born in Mitchell, South Dakota on August 19, 1940, to Wayne and Carol Masters. He lived there until his early teens when his family moved to Sioux Falls and then to Minneapolis where he graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1958.
He met Barbara Walters Adair while attending North Central Bible College and they were married June 1, 1962 and both graduated in 1964.
Dennis and Barbara moved to Roundup, Montana in September 1964 and pastored the Roundup Assembly of God for two years. Their first child, Phillip Wayne Masters, was born during their time there.
Dennis was called to Pastor the Bigfork Chapel in Bigfork, Montana in April 1967 and served there for twenty years. While living there, Dennis and Barbara had their second and third children, Paul Ervin Masters and Denise LeAnn Masters. Bigfork was a wonderful place to raise a family and they lived in a beautiful log home he and friends built. He also oversaw the construction of a new building for the Bigfork Chapel, that is still in use today. He served as Youth Representative and Presbyter for the Flathead Section of the Assemblies of God. The Flathead Valley offered tremendous opportunities for Dennis and his family and they enjoyed hiking and fishing in high-country lakes; as well as hunting, gardening and school activities.
In 1987, Dennis was called to pastor at the Butte Assembly of God (Journey Church).
While in Butte, he was deeply involved in the community as administrator of Summit Valley Christian School, a volunteer hospital chaplain, a member of the ministerial association and the Lions Club, and rest home ministry.
He loved teaching and preaching and had the opportunity to do so around the world. First in Oaxaca, Mexico and then in Paraguay. While in these countries he taught and preached at churches and bible colleges.
Another place that was dear to Dennis’ heart was Israel. On three occasions he led tour groups there. He never grew tired of talking about his time there and in his last minutes, he was listening to songs from Israel and trying to sing along.
Dennis and Barbara retired from full-time ministry in 2006 and became snowbirds, sharing time between Lake Havasu City, Arizona and Glacier Bible Camp in Hungry Horse, Montana. Glacier Bible Camp had been an important part of their lives every year since 1965. After they retired, they volunteered in different positions at the camp and became MAPS RV Missions workers. He also served as an interim pastor and did rest home ministry in his retirement, never losing his passion for sharing the word of God. He was honored in 20017 for serving as an ordained minister in the Assemblies of God for fifty years.
Other highlights of his retirement included leading the West of 60’s Camp at GBC for over 25 years, as well as leading groups of fellow seniors on trips to Branson, MO and on an Alaskan cruise.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 58 years, Barbara, and three children; Phillip (Tina) Masters, Paul Masters, and Denise (Michael) Bartel. He is survived by four siblings; Ronald (LaVonne) Masters, Gary (Carol) Masters, Janice Masters and David Masters, and a brother in law and sister in law; John and Betty Kneiszler. Six grandchildren; Brianna (Ryan) Eamon, Andrew (Chelsea) Masters, Stephen (Kyleigh) Masters, Dylan and Veronika Bartel. Six great grandchildren; Aislyn, Jameson, and Ellisyn Eamon, Kingston and Colson Masters, and Nora Masters. He was preceded in death by his parents Wayne and Carol Masters.
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8
Memorials may be given to FREE International, 631 North Stephanie Street, Box 350, Henderson, NV 89014 or online at TEAMFREE.TV and put in the comments: “For Dennis Masters’ Memorial”.
We are deeply grateful for your kind and loving expressions of sympathy and prayers. May God richly bless and keep you and your family in His tender and loving hands of mercy is our prayer for you.
A memorial service celebrating his life will be held at 2pm on Monday, July 6th at Journey Church, 2055 Florence Ave. Masks are appreciated.
Please visit below to offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Dennis. Axelson Funeral and Cremation Services has been privileged to serve Dennis and his family.
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 PM
Monday July 6, 2020
Journey Church
2055 Florence AVe
Butte, Montana 59711
Service Schedule
Celebration of His Life
2:00 PM
Monday July 6, 2020
Journey Church
2055 Florence AVe
Butte, Montana 59711
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Dana (Heinrichs) Griffin says
Dearest Barbara and Family,
Dennis was such a sweet man that loved Jesus. He was a great friend of my Dad’s, especially during their retirement years, and it’s difficult to believe that they are both gone so close together. It’s wonderful to know that they are together enjoying life ever-after in the presence of Jesus. May you rest in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, as we are, while you walk through the next weeks and months.
We pray blessings on you and your family.
Tom Ottosen says
Barbara and Family,
I will always think of Dennis as “my Pastor”. At Bigfork Chapel, from my earliest memories of attending church as a very young child until well into my teen years, Dennis was a true shepherd. And, of course, in every practical sense (although not formally!) you were his co-pastor and constant, steady worker in the faith. I will never forget the sermon that he once sang in entirety, from beginning to end, with your skilled musical accompaniment. I have so many fond memories of you both. In my eyes you and Dennis will always exemplify the sincerest and most genuine lives of Christian discipleship. Love and prayers, Tom O.
Rev. Reid Ellis says
Dear Barbara and Family:
Was hoping to be with you in person to celebrate Dennis’ life, but plans changed this morning with JoAnn’s folks. We will be praying for you and your family as you learn to live without him in the days and weeks ahead. May God strengthen you all and bring comfort to you until you see him face to face in heaven.
Reid, JoAnn, Victoria & Elizabeth Ellis
Don & Wanda Morgan says
Beautiful testimony of a life well lived! Dennis’s legacy of faithfulness will continue down through the generations! He ran his race, fought the good fight, remained faithful, and now has his reward! God Bless you Barbara, and family as you celebrate his life and share your memories with each other ❤️🙏🏻❤️
Rob and Kelly Crippen says
Barbara, Phil and Tina, Mike and Denise and all the family. We remember Dennis fondly. He was a wonderful man who touched many lives. Our deepest condolences. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you in the coming days.
Judy Berryman says
Judy Berryman and family
Because of Dennis and you, Barb, I can say for all my family, we look forward to seeing Dennis in the presence of the Lord. He was everything God called him to be, and like Tom Ottosen said, he will always be our pastor, though we move and try to settle in a new church, Dennis can never be replaced. This was so because of the wonderful support of his wife and family, and the church family you and he built. I grieve, yet I rejoice that I know Jesus is smiling and welcoming his most faithful servant. I love you all will never forget my time at the Bigfork Chapel. The Holy Spirit met us there every week.
Lisa Berryman says
Dear Barb and Family,
There are no words to express how sorry we are to hear of your loss…
What an amazing Man. We were Blessed to find a Pastor with such wisdom, kindness, humor and love for the Lord, nature and mankind.
Pastor Dennis married Troy and I in 1982,our wedding was so special because of him, he sang the Lords Prayer, I’ve never heard or felt it sung like that,so powerful so beautiful, I couldn’t control my tears, he smiled and handed me his handkerchief, I can still hear and feel that song like it was yesterday.
So many wonderful memories… seeing you both at Fatty lake when I was 7 months pregnant, Troy and I are in a blow up raft in the middle of the lake,Troy said “That’s Dennis and Barb” so we paddled to shore, we couldn’t believe that Pastor Dennis and Barb hiked into Fatty lake and Dennis couldn’t believe a pregnant women hiked into Fatty lake and now she’s in the middle of the lake floating in a blow up raft! We all had a Good Laugh.
When we moved to MN in 1987 I tried to find a church and a Pastor that felt like home, I couldn’t find one.
I will be forever grateful for the many blessings I received by walking through the doors of the Bigfork Chapel and hearing Pastor Dennis speak. He changed my life, he opened my eyes and my heart.
Barb we will be keeping you and your family in our thoughts and prayers today and in the days to come.
Love Troy & Lisa
Gary & Carol Masters says
Dear Barbara & family,
We are so sorry that we can’t be there with you during this time. Our hearts and prayers will continue to be with you all. I, Gary, have many good memories of Dennis when we were growing up. Our family owned a big house in Mitchell, South Dakota, with ten acres of land for us kids to run around in. We had cows, chickens, pigs and even a horse. When I had to practice the piano before school, Dennis did my job of milking the cow.
Our dear mother had four children in five years. At that point, Dennis was the youngest in the family until our brother David was born fourteen years after Dennis. Our parents became Christians later in life when the four of us were teenagers and all four of us teens gave our lives to the Lord. Our father felt a call to be a minister. Later, Ronald and Dennis also went into the ministry.
We are so proud of Dennis who loved and served our dear Lord Jesus all his life. He is now with Jesus and our parents, is free from suffering and has perfect peace and joy. Someday soon we will be joining them.
We love all of you, Gary and Carol Masters
Ken and Marie Cassman says
Dear Barbara and family,
Ken and I extend our love and prayers to you.
I think the last time we saw you and Dennis was at your’s and Betty’s Mom’s memorial. He did a wonderful job on the message he gave..
We continue to pray for all of you.
Ken and Marie Cassman
Joe Engel says
Dennis was a good PREACHER at butte Assembly and was easily approachable and good friends with my mother Dorothy Engel who I remember today July 11th, her birthday, I’m sure they will have met “on the other shore” the family may be justly proud of him and his life well lived.