Dennis Yenser

Dennis Yenser is a 1964 graduate of Lehighton Area High School where he lettered in football and baseball, playing all four years in both sports, and was named Captain for both sports in his senior year. After graduating from Lehighton Area High School in 1964, Dennis enrolled in the Pre Law Program at New Mexico State University where he received a scholarship to play football and baseball. He was a member of the New Mexico State Aggies baseball team, where he played four years and was the team captain in his senior year. He also played a year on the Aggies football team. While at New Mexico State University, he enrolled in the Army ROTC program and upon graduation in 1968 received his commission in the United States Army as a 2nd Lieutenant. After graduation, he was assigned to Advanced Infantry School, Basic Helicopter Training and then, in 1970, Advanced Helicopter Training at FT Stewart, Georgia. During the years 1970-1971, he flew combat missions in Viet Nam in the UH-I Huey helicopter facing everyday threats while flying in a dangerous war zone.

He left his US Army active-duty position at Ft Carson in Colorado in 1972 and joined the PA National Guard as a helicopter pilot from 1972-1977. During this time, he also flew helicopters for Keystone Helicopter, evaluating the viability of power lines in eastern Pennsylvania. His career took a pivotal turn when he became co-owner of Yenser’s Tree Farm in 1971 and then co-owner of Sensinger’s Greenhouses in 1975. For the next forty plus years, Dennis dedicated his life to providing Christmas trees, shrubs and flowers to local businesses, other growers and individual customers in the Lehigh and Mahoning Valleys. Dennis was a 26-year member of the PA Flower Growers Association and served a term as President of that organization. He also was a 41-year member of the PA Christmas Tree Farmer’s Association. Dennis has been recognized in both his affiliation with Sensinger’s Greenhouses and Yenser’s Tree Farm. In 1993, the PA Flower Growers Association honored him with Pennsylvania’s Grower of the Year Award for his outstanding management and success at Sensinger’s Greenhouses. In 2003, Dennis was again honored by the Lehighton Chamber of Commerce as its Business Person of the Year, citing success at both Sensinger’s Greenhouses and the Yenser Tree farm.

As a Viet Nam veteran, Dennis has been regularly active in military events supporting all veterans. He is a lifetime member of American Legion Post 314 in Lehighton and the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). In each organization, he has generously given of his time, funds and effort for programs important to these groups. Each year, he maintains the Viet Nam Memorial on 3rd Street in Lehighton. He was instrumental in establishing the successful Trees for Troops program that began in 2005. Every year, approximately 1000 Christmas trees grown at Yenser’s Tree Farm, purchased by local businesses and individuals for a small donation, are sent to military personnel all over the world. This effort continues to this day and is proudly supported each year by Dennis and the entire Yenser family. Of significant note has been his volunteer service at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church. He is a Cemetery Committee member and has managed and maintained burial records for the last forty years. Dennis also maintains the church parking areas during the winter months, plowing snow whenever necessary. If St John’s has an event, Dennis is one of the first to volunteer.

Dennis currently resides at 172 Fredericks Grove Road, Lehighton, PA 18235 with his wife Jane. They have three children – Amanda, Laura and Jon.