G. Denyes Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Lynette Santiago
March 7, 2024
I still miss "dad" more than words can express. It's ironic that last night I dreamed about him--it's the first time! He impacted my life in so many ways, and he and "mom" kept me from surely going insane during an extremely difficult time in my life. I'm so glad I got to see him just shortly before he died. I know you all still miss him, the hole in your heart will never be filled by anyone else. Still praying for you!
John and Robin Applegate
October 18, 2013
When we first heard of Pastor Denyes's passing, we had such mixed emotions. Sadness, that his annointed teaching will no longer be shared with those of us here on earth, but Joy that he is with his beloved Savior. He made a profound impact in our lives and we are forever grateful for knowing him.
Tony Wong
September 3, 2013
After moving back to MN I was so saddened when I found out Pastor's passing earlier this year. I came to Christ because of him. He and Shirley has touched and helped so many lives including me and my family. What a great man preaching God's word. I wonder what he said to the Father upon his arrival?
Arnold and Cindy Riley
August 20, 2013
Shirley and family,
Just found out about Pastor Denyes. Our hearts cry out for your loss. Our prayers are with you. And Thank you for giving of yourselves to everyone who walked through Emmanuel Christian Center doors.
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Sherri Williams
June 8, 2013
Tammy and family, you have my most heart felt sympathy during this trying time. While God has his arms wrapped around you all, you will continue to be in my prayers. God Bless You. ( my husband, and I were your co-workers from Honeywell back in 1979, Sherri & Charles Williams )
Wayne and Colleen Petersom
March 24, 2013
Wayne and I are so sorry for your loss! Pastor Denyes was a great man of God, and we can't wait to see him again in heaven someday. May He comfort you during thus time of grief.
Sig and Cheryl Haugan
March 24, 2013
Sig and I are so very sorry to hear of the pastors passing but we will see him again. What a glorious place to be with Jesus. We will keep the entire family in prayer.
Gene & Vicky Shanks
March 22, 2013
Shirley and family, so sorry for your loss. We loved Pastor and always thought he was the BEST shepherd we ever sat under! So glad we got to see you both again this past summer in Brainerd and give him a big hug! The angels are rejoicing now that he is truly HOME!
Rick & Janet Blair
March 19, 2013
We'll never forget you. You were a great man of God and ECC and you will be missed by all. Our prayers and condolences to your family.
Jacqueline Hed
March 17, 2013
Pastor G. Mark Denyes will be forever missed and honored. He united my husband and I in marriage on Saturday, October 7, 2006 at Emmanuel Christian Center.
Josh and Tina Witzig
March 16, 2013
Pastor Denyes will be missed very much. Josh and I are glad that we had the oppertunity to hear him for many years preaching the gospel. We will always remember the time that he got to be apart of dedicating our oldest daughter. Our hearts go out to Shirley and the all the Denyes family
He will be missed
Ben Enno
March 16, 2013
Sorry for your loss. He was a great man of God...a General. He will be missed. Heaven is richer because he is there with Jesus. I went there for a time. Thanks for the encouragement and the good Word of Christ.
Nelly Hernandez
March 15, 2013
I remember Pastor Denyes for the love he had for his family, his friends and his community. A man of vision and obedience who preached the Word of God in love and ignited the hearts of many back to Jesus!
Michael and DeAnn Oquendo
March 15, 2013
THANK YOU PASTOR FOR BEING A MAN OF FAYTH AND LEADER WE WILL SEE YOU AT HOME SOME DAY!!!! WELL DONE
Tim and Joy Nasseff
March 15, 2013
Pastor Mark was a faithful servant who touched so many lives for God's Kingdom! Certainly he will be greatly missed here on earth, by his family and so many. But Praise God, our Blessed Assurance is that he is MORE ALIVE now than ever before... in Heaven!!! Our thoughts and prayers are with Shirley and all the family.
Gary and Becky Brown
March 15, 2013
Pastor Denyes was a great part of our lives while we were raising our kids at Emmanuel Christian Center. He was a great man of God and will be missed by all. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time of celebrating a life lived for God. In Christian Love, Gary and Becky Brown
Kristen Ballum
March 15, 2013
Pastor was so merciful to me. Truthful. Compassionate Strength. Extended grace-filled accountability to the saints. And oh, how he loved Jesus and his family.
Kristen Ballum
Godwin Saporu
March 14, 2013
A true man of God who now has been given the crown of life. To God be the glory for a life dedicated to Jesus. Our condolences to the family.
Godwin & Eunice Saporu
Tammy (Dickson) Juve
March 14, 2013
Dear Shirley and family,
Words can't express my deepest regard I had for Pastor. He has been my pastor since I was a young girl. He helped officiate my wedding and he dedicated all 3 of my children. I have learned so much from sitting under his preaching. My family and I have been so blessed to know him and your wonderful family!
Beth Ellingson
March 14, 2013
I would just like to send out my thoughts and sincere condolences on the loss of George. Most new him as Mark, but he was George to me and I truly enjoyed caring for him and getting to know both he and his loving family. He was a wonderful man and even in the short time I knew him, I could tell that he had a wonderful spirit and will be missed by all who knew him. God Bless to all of the family.
Rebecca (Horn) Donaldson
March 14, 2013
Pastor Denyes will always be my pastor. The impact his ministry and friendship had on my family and I was great. My prayers are with Shirley and the Denyes family during this time of loss.
March 14, 2013
Shirley and family,
We lift your entire family up in prayer. Pastor Mark loved God, life and his family with all his heart! He also poured into many other pastors and churches in MN. We are all so blessed by knowing him. Thanks to your entire family for your faithful service to God's Kingdom and the MN Assemblies of God!
Love
Pastor John & Sue Goodman
Dan and Paula Babor
March 14, 2013
Thank you for love, guidance and companioship. Running the race with you.
Chuck Smith
March 14, 2013
Mr. Denyes will always be remembered as an icon in the Fridley area. My condolences to the Denyes family, and his congregation.
Maripat Rawson
March 14, 2013
Dearly loved, Shirley...May the grace of God accompany you through the difficult days ahead. May you feel the glow of God's love upon your face and the keeping of His hand as He holds yours. May your heart be fulfilled in the abiding care of Christ until at last you join Mark and Kent and the other great cloud of witnesses who have gone before. I love and pray for you and for yours. In Jesus Name
Dick and Jan Larson
March 13, 2013
Feeling a tremendous sense of loss over the home going of a great man of God. Shirley, you and Mark have been our friends, mentors, and pastors for more than 40 years. It was always a joy, upon returning from overseas, to be embraced by the great ECC family. Thank you for always being there for us. So wanted to be at the service on Friday to honor our friend. "Heaven's sounding sweeter all the time".
Karla Bowman
March 13, 2013
I had the priveledge of having Pastor Denyes as my pastor for several years while I attended North Central University. He loved the Lord and was very passionate that others would love Him too. There are many things that I remember. How precious it must be to finally be in heaven! My thoughts and prayers are with Shirley and the rest of the family!
Robin Lee
March 13, 2013
Dwight & Susan & family and Shirley,
Pastor Mark, your father, grandfather and husband will be surely missed by many, myself included. I have attended Emmanuel for various different events and Pastor Mark was always there. Always smiling, laughing, visiting, encouraging and blessing those around him. Even though I was not a regular attender, I always felt at home at Emmanuel. He was also blessed with the power of preaching. I so enjoyed and was blessed at the services.
I wanted to relay my sympathies.
I regret I will not be able to attend the services due to a previous commitment. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers that day and in the days to come. Lord bless you each one and though your loved one will be missed greatly, remember all the wonderful times you all had together and the even better times you will all have in heaven together someday. Love in Christ, Robin Lee
Cindy Becktrand
March 13, 2013
He wasn't afraid to tell it like it is, I respected him for that and I always enjoyed his sermons. He was surely an annointed man who brought me close to the Lord. He taught me a lot and I feel blessed to have been a part of that church when he was the head pastor. I won't forget him, my prayers and love to the family.
Char Spencer
March 13, 2013
Pastor Mark was truly a man of God. He was the same man behind the scenes as he was in the pulpit. When you greeted him and said "How are you?" he would always say " I'm blessed!" How remarkable he was and he will be greatly missed.
My prayers go out to his family that you will all have peace and many happy memories.
I am truly sorry for your loss.
Denny and Lois Anderson
March 13, 2013
We were so blessed to sit under pastor Denyes' teaching for 30 years. An often spoken comment about him was "pastor lives what he preaches with no exceptions" That consistent life, as the shepherd of ECC left a permanent imprint on our lives. We will never forget him and know that our loss here is heavens' gain. We love you Shirley and family.
March 13, 2013
Dear Shirley,
We spent many good years at ECC getting healing that only special people like Mark with you at his side could provide. Sad for his passing but at same excited for he has made his final journey and will be waiting for you and all those who loved him. God is saying good job Mark.
The VonEschens-Coon Rapids
John Daniel
March 13, 2013
What an inspirtion, what a blessing he was ! The wisdom and advice I got on few occations still are kept as guidlines in my life and ministry.
May the peace that passess all understanding fill the hearts an minds of all.
Debi Smith and Phyllis Ditlevson
March 13, 2013
Dear Shirley and Family - We are so sorry for your loss. Pastor was an amazing man. So full of grace, wisdom, compassion and love. Mom has always said he was her favorite pastor. We will be praying for you, asking God to bring you comfort and peace.
Jeremiah Baker
March 13, 2013
We will miss him he is with the lord i wil keep praying for the family
Trish Alfaro
March 13, 2013
A man I deeply respected and revered for years. My heart goes out to his entire family, as it is a tragic loss to them and to the community at large. I'm happy he is no longer suffering and has finally made the journey home.
March 13, 2013
Dear Shirley and family, Have been praying for you all and following updates on Facebook. You and Mark were very dear to me and I so appreciated your love and prayers over the years. May his love and grace be poured over you like a warm blanket at this time. God bless you and keep you always in His loving care. Love, Sharon Tully
Chris Resch
March 13, 2013
Dea Shirley and family, I am so sorry to hear of your loss of your beloved Mark. I am praying Jesus's strong presence will uphold you until you are reunited with him in Glory as well!
March 13, 2013
Thinking and praying for all ~
Our deepest sympathy ~
Kurt and Missy Lundsten
Jolene
March 13, 2013
Praying we can live out the prayer life and love of Christ Pastor Denyes modeled for us. My life and so many others were changed by this one life. What a legacy! My heart aches for Shirley and the rest of the clan, but rejoices in knowing he and Kent are rollerblading the streets of Gold pushing us all on to finish the race!
Grieg & Mary Griese
March 13, 2013
Mark ran the race well, and will be missed by many. Our hearts go out to the Denyes family, as they will miss greatly this wonderful man of God. And to think he's now walking on streets of gold with the one He loved most.
Lorraine Knighton
March 13, 2013
During this time of loss, praying you will draw strength and comfort from your faith in god.
Lynette Mincks
March 13, 2013
My heart hurts for all of you. He is irreplacable--the most incredible man I've ever known. His preaching always made me want to change to become more like Christ, and I don't know where or what I would be if it were not for both Mark and Shirley. I will keep you all in prayer. I love you more than words can say!
Tom Morris
March 13, 2013
The world has surrered a great loss but his gain is without measure, he's now in the presents of his Lord and savior and enjoying every moment. I'm a better person just for having known him!
Steve and Tabby Finton
March 13, 2013
Pastor was our friend, mentor, and spiritual father. We are so grateful for his life and legacy. His integrity and faithfulness have been so impactful in our lives, family, and ministry. We pray for grace for all who miss him deeply. My favorite quotes of his are "Heaven is better than Minnesota," and "Old love is better than young love." Thank you. We miss you. And we will see you again dear friend.
March 13, 2013
Dan and I are so sorry for your loss. Mark will be missed but his opus will live on forever.
Dan and Nancy Rector
March 13, 2013
To all of the Denyes family we send our condolences. Pastor Mark was an incredible part of our Christian lives. We look forward to the day we see him once again and share the eternity he taught us about. You are in our prayers.
Wayne & Jeny Monson
Sue Werneke
March 13, 2013
Many memories of prayer walking the ECC balcony at 6:30 a.m. I haven't found a spot quite like it since. He will be missed!
Shelly Stanton
March 13, 2013
He touched our lives in such a tangible way. So thankful for him and Shirley. Much love to the entire Denyes family while you celebrate Pastor Denyes' life.
Larry & Nancy Russell
March 13, 2013
A deat man of grace, truth, compassion and integrity. A dear friend I was honored to walk the journey of life with. Nancy and I send our love to Shirley and the family.
Bill & Toni Holbrook
March 13, 2013
Shirley & Family, You are in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.
Rebecca Hughes Limpert
March 13, 2013
You where a great Man of God Pastor Denyes. Lots of smiles for your family and Wife and friend. You will be missed.
Randy Wile
March 13, 2013
A man so loved by many. Am blessed to have worked with him and to have seen first hand a man who loved Christ and people with the same passion.
Rick Switzer
March 13, 2013
Sorry for your loss of your father Dwight. I have attended ICC on several occasions throughout the years and know of the great respect that you had for your dad along with other people in your congregation that knew him well.
Joshua Monson
March 13, 2013
So sorry to hear about Pastor Denyes. Loved him and all of his great messages. Praying for all of you!!!
March 13, 2013
Dwight,Sue,and family,
So sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Vicki Heikkila
Theron Horn, Jr.
March 13, 2013
To Shirley and all the family. We pray that The Lord God almighty comforts you at this time of loss. We stand with you in your grief, praying for you all; we are so sorry.
Pastor Mark, my pastor, counselor and friend will be missed. I am reminded this morning what St. Paul writes in 2 Timothy 4:7, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished [my] course, I have kept the faith:". He has now received his crown of life. He was a humble, strong, Godly husband,father, and leader and a good man.
We pray with you at this time for comfort in your loss.
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