Dennis John Konieczny, 79 of Valparaiso, Indiana and formerly of Homer Glen, Illinois, passed away Friday, May 15, 2026. He was born on June 23, 1946 in Chicago, Illinois, the son of John Francis and Rosalie (Kurdas) Konieczny. A graduate of St. Mary's University in Winona, Minnesoa in 1968, Dennis having majored in biology, biochemistry and ecology, began his teaching career at Brother Rice High School in Oak Lawn, Illinois. He held the position as the President of the Chicago Catholic Science Teachers Association.
With his enthusiasm for the outdoors, in 1969 Dennis began a high school wilderness program, which was located in Ely Minnesota on the Canadian border. During the summers this program provided thousands of students the experience to travel by canoe through the boundary waters of Minnesota and Canada, while experiencing all that nature had to offer. This program not only provided canoe trips for thousands of students but also adult groups as well. The program flourished for many years, enriching and changing the lives of many students and staff members. Dennis also ran a small insurance agency and a lawn maintenance business.
Eventually his career path shifted to environmental insurance. Over time he formed a consulting practice focused on environmental hazards. That began a career which included consulting, captive formation, program management, coverage form development, underwriting and retail marketing. He broke new ground with the development of group captives for asbestos abatement when there were no U.S. Insurers willing to provide coverage. He was the sole technical resource for all insurance operations while serving on the Board of Directors for two Captives designed to fulfil the need. In 1991 he partnered with BISA in Chicago to manage an Asbestos Abatement Program registered in over 40 states through Credit General Insurance Company. He had served in that capacity for Reliance, Zurich and Arch Insurance Companies. Dennis currently worked with McNeil & Co. and never got to officially retire before his passing.
Although his various careers kept him busy he made sure to make time with his family for canoe trips and fishing in the summer and ski trips in the winter. His kindness to others was ever-present. He was selfless and generous to all. His favorite place to be, was “at the cabin” in Ely Minnesota. A typical and enjoyable day there would most likely include some outdoor project or form of what most would consider to be “work” but to Dennis it was enjoyment. He had quoted many times “when my time has come just set me up with a few days worth of food at the cabin and leave me there. And when someone came back to check on him, they probably would find that he had built another bunk cabin!
On June 7, 1986, Dennis married Jill E. Coleman who survives along with his daughter, Lisa Konieczny; son, Brent Konieczny; stepson, Erik Sowa; grandchildren, Oliver, Rose, and Delanin; brother, David (Patricia) Konieczny; and many loving nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents and sister and brother-in-law, Diane and Don Wyatt.
A Memorial Gathering will be held on May 30, 2026 from 9:00-11:00 AM at Trinity Lutheran Church 6850 W. 159th Street, Tinley Park, Illinois, with a Memorial Service beginning at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider planting a tree in memory of Dennis or donating to the American Cancer Society.
GUESTBOOK
I had the pleasure of working with Dennis Koniexczny for more than two decades. You would be hard-pressed to find a more honest, knowledgeable and hard-working individual. Dennis taught me much about insurance but also about how to deal with business associates. He was kind, respectful, and always willing to put in the work to get the deal done. He was a teach at heart, and a fine one, at that. Dennis had a standing invitation to anyone to come visit him at his MN camp. It clearly was his "happy place." Much as I hoped, I never made it up there - though I have visited it many times in my mind. My sincere condolences to his beloved Jill, Brent, and the rest of the Konieczny family. May his memory bring you comfort. -James Boyes
How can you describe a person so selfless, humble and giving? Dennis truly made this world a better place than he found it. He poured into each person who crossed his path and he was ever the educator. He never did rest, either. Whether he was tinkering around their home in Homer Glen or working on the Ely property, he was always doing something. I am grateful for his influence on my family members’ lives. -Renee Crews
A kind and generous man who made a legacy and a difference. -William Hibner
I will always think of Dennis as the man who drove the bus. He was always up front in so many ways. He was a great friend, and I will cherish the memories of the times that I spent with him. -James Petrowich
My first trip with CWV was in 1974 through Bolingbrook High School. Little did I know what an impact that would have on my whole life. Dennis made this possible for me and quite literally thousands of other young people. He created the vehicle which opened the eyes of so many of us to the natural world. I was exceedingly fortunate to have worked in the camp for five years and in his other Illinois business. He was a mentor and a role model of what a man…no…a human being…should be. Ever the teacher but also a listener and engaged by curiosity …always open to learning. Later in life I often returned to the base camp and was always welcomed by Dennis and Jill with grace and friendship. So although it feels as though his passing is a loss, I prefer to think that his presence here was a gain. He made a difference and the effect of those ripples are still moving through the community he helped to create. My heartfelt condolences to Jill and his family. -John Olvera
