Denise Joy Amdal

Denise Joy DeFrates Amdal, 60, of Abilene, Texas, went to be with Jesus her Savior on August 14th, 2017. A memorial celebration of Denise's life will be held at 11 A.M. on Saturday, August 26th at Christ's Church of Abilene, 2302 Old Anson Road, Abilene, TX. Arrangements are by The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road, Abilene. Denise was born in Jacksonville, Illinois on April 18, 1957, the oldest of Dale W. and Jeanette Joy DeFrates' six children. She graduated from Jacksonville High School in 1975. She attended Baptist Bible College in Springfield, MO and also Hardin Simmons University in Abilene. She married the love of her life, Bruce Amdal on August 9, 1980 in Jacksonville. She worked for many years in the cafeterias at Wylie Junior High and Wylie Early Childhood Center where she touched the lives of literally thousands of students. Other than her family, her passions were her work, her church, and the Texas Rangers. Denise was preceded in death by her father Dale and her paternal and maternal grandparents. She is survived by her husband Bruce, her children Lanae Elizabeth Amdal, Austin Paul Amdal and his wife Lindsey and their children Jaylon, Kaydance, and Landon, and her mother Jeanette DeFrates. She is also survived by her sisters Val and Bob Meller, Lucinda McDaniel, Sandra and Todd Sweatman, Peggy and Myron Fairmon, her brother Chris DeFrates, her husband's brothers Ken and Michelle Amdal and David and Mary Amdal, her beloved in-laws Glenn and Margaret Amdal, and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Memorials are suggested to her church, where she and Bruce have worshipped for over 20 years. Donations can be mailed to the mailing address of Christ's Church of Abilene, 1702 Grape Street, Abilene, TX 79601. The family wishes to extend their thanks to all the family, friends, and fellow employees that have been here for us during this difficult time. God Bless you all!