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Dennis McKenna Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
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Bob Russo
May 31, 2021
Dennis and I met in high school, we became best buddies forever. My wife taught us both to snow ski. We enjoyed camping , boating , being roommates, and even hitch hiking across America. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t think about Dennis. You need to look at your family and friends every day and love them , hug them and appreciate them. They could be gone tomorrow and all you’ll have is memories. Dennis Rest In Peace my brother I miss the heck out of you and so does Marilyn. ♥
Vodka Stinger
November 17, 2006
Happy belated birthday Dennis! (Nov.7th)
We celebrated your birthday at the MSU vs the Minnesota Goophers football game on Nov. 11th. Tailgating in the snow, the sleet, the rain...your brother Jerry pulled out all the stops in your memory.
I miss you.
Megan Qualls
June 30, 2006
Uncle Dennis,
You have always had such a special spirit, and you will continue to. I have always had such a special place for you in my heart, you just had a way of making whatever we were doing so much more fun. I would sometimes forget that you were Dad's brother and would think of you as a pal. Not that all of my Uncle's aren't pals, but you were so much more. You set the bar for laughter and having a good heart. Thank you for you life-lessons and your smile.
Your loving niece,
Megan
June 29, 2006
Dennis' Minneapolis Memorial was wonderful and I would like to express a special thank you to David M for his dedication in honoring his friend as he so rightfully deserved. Words cannot express all the gratitude we feel for all the love and support you have provided us during this ordeal.
Thank you also to Gordon for facilitating the service and to all his friends and co-workers that came to say good-bye. We never truly know the impact we have on another person's life and it was so enjoyable to hear how much Dennis meant to so many people. It was a special gathering and one that Dennis would have enjoyed.
Janell Preseau
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Bonnie (Morrison) Koeppe
June 21, 2006
I met Dennis in 1975 and, like everybody else, we became fast friends.
Years of camping (back when Arnold and I were married) will remain etched in my memory forever. Dennis is the only person I know that would hang a flag on his tent and sweep the dirt around it. Neat as a pin.
Dennis took one of our English Setter/Dalmation pups and named him Stuart. He was my roommate during hunting season when I was left a "hunting widow." He was my date, and I was his when we needed one. We never lacked for entertainment.
I missed him when he moved to Minnesota. I ran into him (on a fluke) last fall when he was back in Michigan. What a wonderful person. I'm very thankful for all the memories, and even now he can still bring a smile to my face. I regret that I didn't hear of his accident until it was too late and also had to miss the memorial. I would have loved to meet all of his family, hear all the great "Dennis stories" and see some old friends again.
My heartfelt condolences to his brothers and sister whom he loved very much. I will miss his smirk and dime-slot eyes. Thank you for the opportunity share my thoughts.
Den McKen, I will always love you.
Amy McKenna
June 19, 2006
*Here's to you, Dennis!
For being such a remarkable soul!
You truly were a presence in all our lives.
*Here's to all you siblings!
For your courage and devotion!
*Here's to Jerry (my husband)!
For his strength and ablilty to handle
everything that came his way!
*Here's to all of the friends!
Who will miss Dennis terribly!
We will never forget you!
Matt McKenna
June 18, 2006
Uncle Dennis had a passion and joy for life that was exceeded only by the love and affection that he showered upon his many nieces and nephews. Frequently, the first question us kids would ask upon arriving at Grandma and Grandpa McKenna's house was "When will Uncle Dennis be here?". To us, Dennis was more than an uncle: he was our best friend and playmate, our older brother and confidant. In short, he is a special person in all of our lives. It is his example I try to follow when I am with my nieces, Madison and Lauren, and my nephew, Riley. Thank you, Uncle Dennis, for being there. And may the lift lines be short, the snow perfect, and the sun always shining where you are.
Bob Russo
June 15, 2006
Dennis and I were so close you had to invite us both to any function.We did everything together.We met in highschool and became the cloest of friends. We hitch hiked across America to see the "Who", at a concert in Olympia Washington. One day he told me we were going to fly to Florida to see the "Rolling Stones" at the Gator Bowl.All I could say was,"ok" because "no" was not in Dennis' vocabulary. Forty years of good times and laughs. When Marilyn and I went to Houghton lake for the weekends Dennis was a given to come along.We called him the "Sun King", and it was always sunny too! Go figure! Dennis was my best man when Marilyn and I tied the knot.Trust me I didn't have to do a thing except say "I do"! One time Dennis,I and friends went to a Pistons game and he got this fun idea to sit at the press table on the main floor. We told the press people we were from the "State News" ( MSU's newspaper).We lasted about an hour before we were discovered.My daughter "Alissa" just told me that once on Drummond Island Dennis told some Indian ghost stories by the fire on the beach and she ran to Mark and Janell's cottage and wouldn't come back outside until it was sunny the next day.He was very knowledgable on American history and could tell you all about each tribe. He was always great with kids.He loved to have the kids around him always. "Green Dot Denny", was a nickname Marilyn gave to Dennis after she taught us both to downhill ski.He always wanted to stay on the easy slopes because there was never any danger.Especially after a couple of "White Russians",Go figure.Our son Kyle was very close to Dennis as he grew up, he just wishes he could of been here to pay his respects to his great friend. I would like to say hi and it was great to meet you Bob and David,(MN),you guys sharing your stories of Dennis' adventures mean a lot to us. And Bob thanks for the, Fire Hydrant,and thanks David for wearing Dennis' sunglasses to the service. That was a hoot! We will miss you big guy very much, thanks for all the moments that seal a friendship for life. Say hi to Joe and Hazel for me Dennis I hope they don't have a garden to till and a lawn to mow! I love you buddy always in my heart forever! Bob(Rooster)
Chris Cook
June 14, 2006
When I think of Uncle Dennis, the first two things that pop in my head are the ski trips and playing snow football at grandma and grandpa's house at Christmas. When we went skiing, the airline lost all his luggage, but uncle Dennis still found a way to make things work and we all had a great time. In typical Uncle Dennis fashion, after he scored a touchdown in the football game, he proceeded to spell out UCLA in the snow, since I was a Junior at USC at the time. All of the nephews and nieces will miss him and his sense of humor. Fight on Uncle Dennis.
Dennis & Kids at Baker National Golf Camp
John McKenna
June 13, 2006
Dennis was blessed with a wonderful sense of humor, a quick wit and a twinkle in his eye. He could make any situation more interesting with his unique perspectives on life. He often shared fond memories of his faithful dog Stuart. He was most at home in the outdoors, but had a great appreciation for culture and the arts as well.
He had a special relationship with his many nieces and nephews. They treasure warm memories of him and his enthusiasm for holidays and sports, especially downhill skiing and basketball. He was a devoted Spartan fan.
It is obvious that Dennis touched a great many lives in positive ways. His extensive network of friends is testimony to the type of person he was. I, along with his other brothers and sister are especially comforted that he had such a close 'extended' family in Minneapolis. He was very happy there.
Dennis left us in the prime of his life. He will be greatly missed by his loving family and friends who were there with him during his final journey. He had a deep faith in God and has now gone home to be with Joe and Hazel.
Mammoth Mountain, 1988 with me (sister-in-law) & our kids. Brother John took the picture
Bonnie McKenna
June 12, 2006
It has been such a comfort to the family to know that Dennis had such good friends who visited him at times when the family could not be there. I am grateful to have met many of you on my two visits to Minneapolis from California. We all have gained new insights into what a loved person Dennis is. Thank you
Janell Preseau
June 12, 2006
On behalf of Dennis' family in Michigan I would like to thank all his friends and co-workers who came to see him during these past weeks. It meant a great deal to us his five siblings as we could not be always be at his bedside. We have lost a beloved brother and our children have lost the "perfect uncle" but we have also gained some tremedous lifelong Minneapolis friends throughout this journey. We know that Dennis touched many people's lives and that he will be truly missed. He loved Minneapolis and it was the perfect city for him, metropolitian and yet allowing him to interact with nature which he so loved. The big loon called him home to be with his loving parents and while we know he is at peace now forever will we miss his laughter and his love.
Some of us will be attending the Minneapolis celebration and we look forward to seeing old friends and meeting some new ones. Our gratitude cannot be expressed for all who looked in on Dennis and for those of you who kept him in your thoughts and prayers.
His loving sister, Janell
Stephen Trost
June 12, 2006
Dennis was truly alive.He loved sports, biking, roller blading and having a good time! He loved living in Uptown Minneapolis and I frequently ran into him there. Bob and I had him to our house for parties, dinners etc. He will be truly missed by all his friends in Minneapolis.
Tony Edmonds
June 11, 2006
Dennis and I worked for the Three Rivers Park District. We did not work together on a daily basis but because we were involved in the golf courses we worked together at different times. I visited Dennis in the hospital which affected me much more than I would have thought.My wife asked me why I went,and I thought I would have liked to see Dennis's family and let him know that he did make a difference in many people's lives. I would hope someone would do the same for my family. Dennis will be missed and will be hard to replace.
Tom Coscarelli
June 11, 2006
The brightest stars burn the fastest and give off the most brilliance. That was Dennis' legacy. He lived life with a passion, and made the world better for having passed our way. I'm glad to have been a part of his life and hope that he has found peace.
David McCann
June 8, 2006
Hey Judy...your right. My cell phone calls have gone down a lot...after your suggestions...I had to suggest where to shop for that food...or to polish it up. I miss him for all the nights of cocktails and laughter! Willie Nelson's song from BROKEBACK MOUNTIAN..."...he was a friend of mine!"
steve worth
June 7, 2006
His love and loyalty for family and friends was trememdous, but it was his appreciation for nature and the great outdoors that I believe truly defined who dennis was. He has alway's been a great friend and I will miss him dearly
Lynn Graunke
June 6, 2006
To the family of Dennis,
My son, Sean Kelly, has worked with Dennis the past 3 summers and was looking forward to this summer. He will truly be missed by all of the kids. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Lynn Graunke
Keith Cheetham
June 6, 2006
Ukki,
Your laughter, smiles and joie de vivre will be sorely missed by all of us. As I look back on the day I first saw you, I still can't believe I caught the attention of the most beautiful person in the room. Thanks for being a part of my life and letting me be a part of yours. And thanks for taking me skiing in Colorado.
With love,
Keith
--
Partners 5/24/96 - 03/16/2001
--
Judy Wallace
June 6, 2006
I miss all the 911 Food emergency calls I always got from Dennis. My cell phone calls have decreased considerably since 4/30/06. Miss him terribly.
Joseph Miller
June 6, 2006
To the family of Dennis:
I was greatly saddened to hear of your loss. I went to St. Therese School with him for eight years, and have known his family. May you find comfort in knowing that he was well loved by those who knew him.
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