Dennis Ray Munson

**Service information updated below**
Dennis Ray Munson died suddenly on New Year's Eve, with his beloved wife Claudia by his side. He was born in Dilworth, MN on November 5, 1946 into a stoic and proud Norwegian family. In 1965 he enlisted in the US Air Force and served in Vietnam for more than three years as a Crew Chief on C-130 airplanes.
After being honorably discharged from the Air Force, Dennis moved to St. Paul, MN. While working at Dayton's he met an Irish Catholic girl from a large, boisterous family and fell in love. After multiple proposals to Claudia Jo Kane, they excitedly married on June 5, 1971, with Dennis happily adopting Claudia's five siblings and their growing families as his own. Throughout 53 years of marriage, he never stopped referring to Claudia as his "beautiful bride." He dove into family life with an unrivaled ability to love others completely and without the reserve of his own upbringing. Dennis became the proud father to daughters Kelly (Scott LeGere), Molly (Jason Payne), and son Michael (diane leutgeb). With Claudia, he raised his children in a house filled with laughter, music and endless gratitude for the simple things in life. Perhaps nothing made him as proud as becoming a grandfather to Lena Ray LeGere and watching her grow.
Dennis was artistic, inventive, industrious, and determined to support his family. He proudly and independently operated his own trucking company, Munson Transfer, for many years. He loved taking his family on summer vacations to Woman Lake and taking his bride on many trips to the north shore, road trips to national parks, or simply on long drives in their Volkswagen Beetle convertible. In later years he was able to travel to Norway, Iceland and Ireland; adventures that had seemed unimaginable for a boy from Dilworth to have.
Dennis loved his wife Claudia with all his being, regularly spinning her around the living room and never missing a chance to pull her onto the dance floor. He cherished time with his children above all else. The proudest of fathers, he would happily travel anywhere to be with them and often did. He wanted nothing more than to know his children were happy, comfortable, and loved. He was generous beyond measure, not only with his family, but with everyone he encountered.
Dennis is also survived by his brother, Lloyd (Susan), sister, Sandra Gruchalla, Claudia's large Irish Family, many nieces and nephews, and many wonderful friends. Preceded in death by his beloved Goddaughter, Carrie Louise Kane, and other family members.
In lieu of flowers, a fund has been established online to assist the family in covering expenses at https://www.gofundme.com/f/dennis-munsons-legacy-of-kindness
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held on Monday, February 17 from 1:00-4:00PM (with Tributes at 3:00PM) at St. Gerard Church, 9600 Regent Avenue North, Brooklyn Park 55443 in the St. Francis Hall.