Dennis Denning

Dennis’s defining role in life was that he took MAJOR pride in being papa to his eleven grandchildren.  Dennis was heavily involved in their daily lives. He attended all of his grandchildren’s sporting events - he was their biggest fan.  Dennis volunteered on school field trips and was a mystery reader in classrooms. He even stepped back into coaching 5th grade baseball for a year. The team was undefeated CAA champions. Wrestling, magic tricks, and epic sleepovers were things the grandkids looked forward to.  

Cabin with Papa was cherished the most.  Building memories and Dukes of Hazzard style driving to the cabin in the summer will never be forgotten. Wiffle ball games, 4th of July slip n slide, Olympic contests were all enjoyed by the whole family. The kids loved tagging along on the riding lawn mower (titled “Silver Fox”), and grandkids eventually graduating to learn how to maintain the lawn, sprucing it up to make it look like our own baseball field.  Papa instilled values of kindness, gratitude, honesty, loyalty and most importantly, to always have FUN.  Your life was a blessing, your memory a treasure that will never be forgotten. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Betty and James; sister, Maryann Todora; and brother, Jimmy.

He is survived by his wife of 52 years, Nancy; children, Heather (Joe), Wes, and Jamie (Brian) McQuillan; brother, Pat (Tammy); brother-in-law, Duck; grandchildren, Lily, J.D., Chase, Dallas, Riley, Shea, Wynter, Logan, AJ, Cooper, and Ozzie; and many other loving nieces, nephews, family, and friends.

A visitation will be held 4:00-8:00 PM Monday, November 28th, 2022 at O’Halloran and Murphy, 575 Snelling Ave. S, St. Paul. Memorial service 10:00 AM Tuesday, November 29th, 2022, with visitation one hour prior, at the Church of the Assumption, 51 7th St. W, St. Paul. In lieu of flowers, memorials preferred.