Sue Kendall’s comment at the end of the ex-mayor’s memorial service at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Marysville March 30 led to a spontaneous outburst of laughter.

While most of the service was focused on her husband being so loving and positive, she also showed the hundreds of people in the crowd that she also possesses those traits.

She credited those who worked with him at the city with helping him be successful.

“You all had an impact on him, and helped him be who he is,” she said. “You made him look good. By himself he might have a problem.”

Sue said Dennis was not always outgoing. She credited the Jaycees and Rotary with helping him gain confidence.

“There was a third club that didn’t treat him so well,” she joked. “The golf club.”

She said her husband was so proud of city workers.

“He went out and broadcast what they did,” she said.

Sue told current Mayor Jon Nehring that with her husband in heaven now, “Maybe we have that pipeline to solve the city’s traffic problem.”

Mary Swenson, who worked with Kendall as chief administrative officer, gave the eulogy.

She said Kendall was the “ultimate optimist” and told her “We have to be positive in every thing we do, and everyone else will follow us.”

He wanted Marysville to stop being a bedroom community and be one where people would live, shop and work. She recalled an effort to put 1,800 mobile homes near Smokey Point.

“He said, ‘Not on my watch. Not in my town,'” Swenson repeated.

She talked about how he loved children, helping with the Boys and Girls Club and other endeavors.

“He was all about future generations,” she said. “He was kind of like a big kid.”

Swenson said he became mayor during a “much-needed transition” period.

“He was a breath of fresh air,” she said. “He made Marysville a better place. I want to thank the Kendall family for sharing him with us.”

Nehring had high praise for his mentor.

“He was so full of joy all the time,” Nehring said. “You couldn’t leave a conversation without feeling inspired.”

Don Hatch of the Tulalip Tribes said Kendall did a lot to improve relations between the city and the reservation.

“Dennis opened a lot of doors,” Hatch said, adding they developed trust and a friendship.

He added that Kendall was tireless.

“When you wondered who would do it, Dennis did it,” Hatch said. “He volunteered for everything. You’d wear out your shoes trying to keep up with him.”

Former city police chief Robert Carden recalled first meeting Kendall.

Carden said he asked, “May I help you,” to which Kendall responded, “Well, you’re certainly going to. I’m going to be your next boss.” And he was.

Kendall’s daughter, Belinda, also spoke.

“I was daddy’s little girl. I could always count on my dad,” she said. But at the end of his life she wanted to but couldn’t “take the hurt away like he took mine away.”

Father Dwight Lewis said of Kendall, “Love is the legacy he left.”

Lewis said it is interesting that Kendall will be buried during Holy Week. When he gets to the Pearly Gates and the question is asked, “Did he try to love like me?” The answer will have to be, “Then let him in.”

Lewis said Kendall did everything, “out of love for us. Love means service. We are all better because of him.”

He added that Kendall knew earthly possessions are not what is important.

“It’s not what you drive, but what drives you,” Lewis said. “It’s not where you live, but how you live.”

He said Kendall made being a Christian look easy. “Learn from that love,” Lewis told the gathering. “Can you say that about every politician?”

Lewis put pressure on Kendall’s family to follow in his footsteps.

“You are part of something special. You carry his DNA. Remember who you come from. Live, love, forgive. Give a damn about everything and everyone.”

Members of the military played Taps and gave a flag to the family.