1956
Dena
2015
Dena Highberger
April 2, 1956 — September 19, 2015
Dena Highberger passed away Saturday night September 19th peacefully at home. Dena defied the odds in a decade long battle with ALS, and while this dominated the later portion of her life, it didn’t define who she was.
Dena was born and raised in Pittsburg, KS and studied at Pittsburg State University where her father was a professor. Much to his surprise, Dena chose to pursue teaching and would complete both an undergrad and masters degrees in the field of teaching. She spent most her professional career in the Blue Valley School district, and loved her career. Dena was a teacher, a coach, and mentor. Of course, her favorite part of school were the people in it, Dena truly loved and cared for her students and fellow staff. Even after retirement, former students and coworkers continued to be a huge part of her life and offered a tremendous amount of support until her passing.
She was a gifted athlete and excelled at many sports growing up. This was undoubtedly the foundation for her later work coaching almost every sport. At some point golf became Dena’s sport of choice and she was a special player. In fact it was on a golf course that Dena met Steve Highberger! Perhaps not the pinnacle of her golf career, it was a pretty important moment as it began a new chapter in her life.
Dena and Steve were married in 1994; she immediately became a mother to Steve’s son Michael. Later the two would have a daughter named Maggie. Since the day she was born, Maggie was her mother’s crown jewel. Each day of her life Dena demonstrated to the highest level what it truly means to love your children. Dena loved both children and could not have been more supportive as they grew. Dena especially enjoyed watching Maggie play sports and was proud to see Maggie commit to Pitt State and play volleyball there. In recent years, Dena became a grandmother to Michael and Heather’s son, Caleb. She adored him and loved to watch him play and grow.
Dena is survived by husband Steve, son Michael and his wife Heather, daughter Maggie, grandson Caleb, sister Charliss, brothers Steve, Dave, and Dan. She was preceded in death by her mother Donna and father Bernard Dellasega.
Dena’s spirit and caring knew no bounds regardless of the circumstances. She cared about her family and friends beyond measure and that is her legacy. We will always remember you Dena, we could not be more thankful for your love and support, and we would not be who we are without you. You were a coach, a teacher, a friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and an inspiration. You are our beautiful reminder to be strong and positive despite life’s circumstances.
With all our love,
Steve, Maggie, Michael, Heather, and Caleb
In her memory, memorial contributions may be made to:
ALS Foundation
6950 Squibb Rd, Suite 210
Mission, KS 66202
Dena was born and raised in Pittsburg, KS and studied at Pittsburg State University where her father was a professor. Much to his surprise, Dena chose to pursue teaching and would complete both an undergrad and masters degrees in the field of teaching. She spent most her professional career in the Blue Valley School district, and loved her career. Dena was a teacher, a coach, and mentor. Of course, her favorite part of school were the people in it, Dena truly loved and cared for her students and fellow staff. Even after retirement, former students and coworkers continued to be a huge part of her life and offered a tremendous amount of support until her passing.
She was a gifted athlete and excelled at many sports growing up. This was undoubtedly the foundation for her later work coaching almost every sport. At some point golf became Dena’s sport of choice and she was a special player. In fact it was on a golf course that Dena met Steve Highberger! Perhaps not the pinnacle of her golf career, it was a pretty important moment as it began a new chapter in her life.
Dena and Steve were married in 1994; she immediately became a mother to Steve’s son Michael. Later the two would have a daughter named Maggie. Since the day she was born, Maggie was her mother’s crown jewel. Each day of her life Dena demonstrated to the highest level what it truly means to love your children. Dena loved both children and could not have been more supportive as they grew. Dena especially enjoyed watching Maggie play sports and was proud to see Maggie commit to Pitt State and play volleyball there. In recent years, Dena became a grandmother to Michael and Heather’s son, Caleb. She adored him and loved to watch him play and grow.
Dena is survived by husband Steve, son Michael and his wife Heather, daughter Maggie, grandson Caleb, sister Charliss, brothers Steve, Dave, and Dan. She was preceded in death by her mother Donna and father Bernard Dellasega.
Dena’s spirit and caring knew no bounds regardless of the circumstances. She cared about her family and friends beyond measure and that is her legacy. We will always remember you Dena, we could not be more thankful for your love and support, and we would not be who we are without you. You were a coach, a teacher, a friend, a wife, a mother, a grandmother and an inspiration. You are our beautiful reminder to be strong and positive despite life’s circumstances.
With all our love,
Steve, Maggie, Michael, Heather, and Caleb
In her memory, memorial contributions may be made to:
ALS Foundation
6950 Squibb Rd, Suite 210
Mission, KS 66202
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