Denise Carol Painter

Denise Carol Painter (Mensing), 73, of North Mankato, passed away on November 27, 2025, at M Health Fairview in Minneapolis.

Denise was born in Blue Earth, MN, on December 15, 1951, the third of four children of Albert and Vernice (Nagel) Mensing, and was raised on the family farm in Delevan. She participated in 4-H, raising livestock and completing many sewing and design projects, especially Dress Review. She had a lifelong passion for music—playing piano, often in trios with her brothers, singing solos and in choirs, and playing baritone saxophone in marching band.

After high school, Denise moved to Mankato and attended Mankato Vo-Tech. Her interest in fashion and retail grew through her work at Brett’s and Thompson’s, where she met her future husband, Chris, who worked at Wilson’s. They married on August 5, 1978. Denise and Chris raised their two children, Lindsey and Zachary, in North Mankato. She loved her children unconditionally and supported them in every way. Later, her love extended to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she embraced with the same warmth and devotion.

Denise took great pride in being a working mother. She spent 21 years at Exclusively Diamonds, helping clients with some of the most important moments in their lives. She was a devoted member of Our Savior Lutheran Church, serving in many roles, including the first female president of the congregation, and sharing her gifts through choir and handbells. In retirement she enjoyed caring for her grandchildren, golfing with friends, volunteering at church, and traveling.

In 2023, Denise began treatment for pre-leukemia, a hereditary condition affecting her family for generations. It progressed to Acute Myeloid Leukemia, and she underwent chemotherapy while preparing for a possible stem cell transplant. During treatment, her weakened immunity led to multiple strokes that ultimately caused her death. The family extends their deepest gratitude to her niece Tricia, who remained by her side throughout her stay in Minneapolis. Denise was strong, graceful, and fearless through her illness.

She is survived by her daughter Lindsey (Nate) Marso of Eagle Lake and their daughters Breanna, Mackenzie, and Avery; great-grandchildren Dominick, Dawsyn, Bella, Bentley, and Iris; her son Zachary (Lisa) Painter of Mankato and their children Grace and Wyatt; mother Vernice Mensing of Mankato; brothers Eugene (Judy) Mensing of Mankato and Chuck Mensing of Blue Earth; sister-in-law Sandi Mensing of North Mankato; many nieces and nephews; and sister and brother in-law, Diane Painter and Rick (Tracy) Painter. She was preceded in death by her husband Chris, father Albert Mensing, brother Brian Mensing, and in-laws Richard (Betty) Painter and Greg Painter.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 5, 2025, at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Mankato. Visitation will be from 4–7 p.m. Thursday, December 4, at Northview–North Mankato Mortuary, and one hour prior to the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the South Central College Endowment Scholarship Fund Denise and Chris Painter in North Mankato or Our Savior Lutheran Church in Mankato.