Dennis Engels

Dennis Henry Engels was born October 8, 1941, in Minneota to Lawrence and Margaret (VanOverbeke) Engels. Dennis was the first born of five children. He was baptized, received his 1st communion, and was confirmed at St. Eloi Catholic Church in Ghent. Dennis attended grade school at St. Eloi Catholic School and graduated from Central Catholic High School in Marshall in 1960. Following high school graduation, Dennis joined the Army National Guards for three years. On June 27, 1964, Dennis and Rita Stassen were united in marriage at St. Edward Catholic Church in Minneota. They raised three children on the family farm north of Ghent. Dennis was diagnosed with Parkinson in 2010. He passed away peacefully on June 6, 2020 at the Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall. Dennis lived and loved his Catholic faith. He was a lifetime member of the St. Eloi Catholic Church. Dennis served on the Parish Council and was a Eucharistic Minister for over 30 years. Rita and Dennis faithfully attended weekly adoration at the chapel. His family were witnesses of his love and faith up to his last hours of his life. He fought through his battle with Parkinsons by prayer to St. Padre Pio and the rosary. Dennis was the fourth generation on the Engels family farm. His farming career began with his father, Lawrence, and continued with his son, John. Dennis loved raising corn. He became a Keltgen Seed dealer in 1983. He sold for Keltgen Seed for 12 yrs and then Mycogen for 8 yrs. In 1994 his variety plot was awarded Highest Yielding Keltgen Plot in Minnesota. Dennis loved horses, especially Quarter Horses. He attended 10 World Horse Shows in Oklahoma City to view the best of the best. He enjoyed working with and showing the young colts and fillies. He was thrilled when his children and grandchildren showed their 4-H animals at the county and state fairs. Wonderful memories were made on trips taken with friends and family. Trips included: Yellowstone National Park with Jackson Hole, WY, Hawaii, Alaska, Washington DC, New York, Colorado, Arizona, Texas, Baniff in Canada, Caribbean Cruise and Hayward, WI. Dennis is survived by the love of his life for 56 years Rita and 3 children Ann (Eric) Guttormsson of Taunton, John (Karla) Engels of Minneota, Mary Beth (Troy) Kwasniewski of Clear Lake, SD; grandchildren Alex (fiance Joanna Moser) and Heidi Guttormsson, Amber and Travis Engels, Tristen and Morgan Kwasniewski; siblings Wallace (Delores) Engels of Minneota, Larry (Paulette) Engels of Alexandria, Mary Lee Engels of Independence, MO and Tom (Sharon) Engels of Woodbury. He was preceded in death by his son Christopher, parents Lawrence and Margaret Engels, and father and mother in-law Harry and Martha Stassen In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred to St. Eloi Catholic Church, Sisters of Mary Morning Star or Prairie Home Hospice.