Dennis Duane Ortquist
Born: September 3, 1929
Died: March 23, 2018, Cokato Minnesota surrounded by his family
A memorial service will take place Wednesday March 28th at 11am at Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Visitation will take place on Tuesday evening, March 27th from 4-7 pm at the church with a prayer service at 6:30 pm.
Dennis was born September 3rd, 1929 to Carl and Ellen (Erickson) in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the oldest of 9 children. Dennis grew up in the French Lake area and graduated from Annandale High School in 1947.
Post graduation, Dennis was drafted into the United States Marines Corps and served 2 years. Dennis was a ‘jack of all trades’ enjoying farming, heavy equipment operations, steel building construction and professional baking with his in-laws at the Cokato Bakery.
Dennis was married to Marlys Salmela on January 13th, 1952. They enjoyed 66 years of marriage together and had 8 children, 26 grandchildren, and 40 great grandchildren.
Dennis loved his community and volunteered 28 years of his time to serve the Cokato Fire Department, was a frequent visitor of the Cokato Town and Country Club enjoying many rounds of golf. He traveled throughout the United States with his bowling buddies playing in various tournaments. Dennis was a member of the American Legion and active member of the Cokato Evangelical Lutheran Church. Dennis greatly loved his family and spending time with them. He thoroughly enjoyed helping his children with their farming enterprises.
Dennis is survived by his wife Marlys, children Rene Ortquist, Robin (Tim) Kelly, Rise (Ron) Beckman, Rori (Doug) Carlson, Ruthie (Ron) Klima, Reid (Cheryl), Rahn (Pamela), Raquel (Chad) Kirchoff, and Blake Ortquist, 26 grandchildren and 40 great grandchildren. Brothers: Marvin (Donna), Robert (Mary Jo), Chuck (Karen). Sisters: Lois Nelson, Doris Neunfeldt, Paulette Vogel. Sister-in-law Mary Jean Ortquist.
Dennis is preceded in death by his parents (Carl and Ellen), sister Jean Rusling, brother David, granddaughter Ria Beckman, and great grandson Austin Carlen.