Dennis Frank Gawarecki

The funeral service for Dennis Gawarecki, 89, of Minneota, will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at the Horvath Remembrance Center in Minneota. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m. at the remembrance center and will continue one hour prior to the service. A private family interment will take place at a later date.
Dennis Frank Gawarecki was born on August 15, 1936, in Canby, to Frank and Lucille (Van De Veire) Gawarecki. Dennis grew up in rural Porter before moving to Minneota at age 16 to help Joe Peterson on the farm. On January 16, 1965, Dennis was united in marriage to Chrystal Mae Peterson at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minneota. The couple farmed until 1976, when they sold their land and moved to Ivanhoe. Dennis worked for over 40 years at Ivanhoe Auto, first as a mechanic and later in the gas station. After retiring at age 63, Dennis continued to help Rich and Curt on the farm. He raised cattle and horses for many years.
Dennis liked to stay busy. He was a proud member of the US Army National Guard. He enjoyed playing cards and driving around checking the crops. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, who affectionately called him "Avi." He was a member of the Silver Spurs Saddle Club and the Porter Trail Dusters, and he served on the church council for St. Paul's Lutheran Church for many years. After Chrystal's death in 2012, Dennis moved to Minneota in 2014.
Dennis died on Sunday, December 28, 2025, at his residence in Minneota. He is survived by his children Chadwick (Janelle) of Arco and Caren (Curtis) Buysse of Minneota; 9 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; brother Lon Gawarecki of Minneota; nieces Pam Docken of Blaine, Kym (Paul) Rudberg of Lino Lakes, Brenda (Dale) Koening of Clear Lake, WI, Mandy (Brandon) Koster of Shakopee; sister-in-law Shirley Gawerecki of Taunton; as well as other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife Chrystal Mae, brother Vince Gawerecki, in-laws Delores and Robert Schaffer, and nephew Doug Docken.
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