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These Are Your Neighbors Ep. 85 - Denise Fettig-Loftesnes
Episode 85
Published 1 month, 1 week ago
Description
Denise Fettig-Loftesnes serves as Development Director at Dream Center Bismarck, where she leads fundraising and community engagement efforts to ensure individuals and families have consistent access to food, support, and stability. Through its daily meal program and on-site
resources, the Dream Center serves hundreds of neighbors each day, 365 days a year.
Denise brings a diverse background in nonprofit leadership and public service. She previously
served as Resource Development Director at Missouri Slope Areawide United Way and Event
Coordinator at the Age Well Center. She spent 14 years living in Japan, including 10 years as a
civilian Special Staff Family Readiness Officer for the Commanding General of the III Marine
Expeditionary Force, and has lived throughout the United States since the age of 24. In 2021, she
returned to Bismarck, North Dakota, to care for her parents following their dementia diagnoses,
an experience that continues to shape her work and advocacy.
She is the Founder and Director of the Bismarck Memory Café, a monthly gathering that
provides connection, education, and support for those living with memory loss and their care
partners. Denise serves as a Community Educator with the Alzheimer’s Association and is an
active volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, where she advocates for legislation,
shares personal stories to influence policy, engages in social media advocacy, and supports policy
campaigns that improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. She also serves
on the Human Relations Committee for the City of Bismarck.
In recognition of her impact, Denise was named the 2025 AARP Andrus Award for Community
Service recipient - AARP’s most prestigious volunteer honor -and a 2026 Scheels Hidden
Hometown Hero Finalist.
She is passionate about building strong partnerships that create meaningful, lasting change in her
community.
resources, the Dream Center serves hundreds of neighbors each day, 365 days a year.
Denise brings a diverse background in nonprofit leadership and public service. She previously
served as Resource Development Director at Missouri Slope Areawide United Way and Event
Coordinator at the Age Well Center. She spent 14 years living in Japan, including 10 years as a
civilian Special Staff Family Readiness Officer for the Commanding General of the III Marine
Expeditionary Force, and has lived throughout the United States since the age of 24. In 2021, she
returned to Bismarck, North Dakota, to care for her parents following their dementia diagnoses,
an experience that continues to shape her work and advocacy.
She is the Founder and Director of the Bismarck Memory Café, a monthly gathering that
provides connection, education, and support for those living with memory loss and their care
partners. Denise serves as a Community Educator with the Alzheimer’s Association and is an
active volunteer with the Alzheimer’s Impact Movement, where she advocates for legislation,
shares personal stories to influence policy, engages in social media advocacy, and supports policy
campaigns that improve the lives of those affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia. She also serves
on the Human Relations Committee for the City of Bismarck.
In recognition of her impact, Denise was named the 2025 AARP Andrus Award for Community
Service recipient - AARP’s most prestigious volunteer honor -and a 2026 Scheels Hidden
Hometown Hero Finalist.
She is passionate about building strong partnerships that create meaningful, lasting change in her
community.