Dennis E. Arends

Dennis Arends, age 77, of Eagle Lake, died, Monday, June 19, 2017 at Mayo Clinic Health System, Mankato.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, June 26 at11:00 a.m. at Northview-North Mankato Mortuary.  Visitation will be Monday one hour prior to the service at Northview.  Private interment will be in St. Matthews Lutheran Cemetery, rural Wabasso.

Dennis was born in Redwood County to George and Iva (Willhite) Arends on July 5, 1939, and grew up on the family farm in Wabasso, MN. Later he moved off the farm to begin his career in real estate, building and selling homes.

Denny was married to Patricia Zieske (now Patricia Armstrong) for 20 years, and enjoyed having their three children, raising them in the Duluth area. He also lived with his family in Prescott, WI. He eventually settled in Eagle Lake, MN where he built his own home. His eye for quality and meticulous attention to detail were evident in all of his projects. During his retirement, he also enjoyed the time he spent driving a route for Gold Cross Courier.

Dennis loved history and politics, and even ran for the House of Representatives in the State of Minnesota during the 1980’s.

Dennis had a strong Christian faith, which was the center of his life. He fostered close relationships with like-minded people within his church community and small groups. Denny was a very deep thinker and took great pleasure in conversing with people about life and faith. He was a great conversationalist, being well versed in many different subjects.

Dennis is survived by brother, Wally (Janice) Arends; sister, Kathy (Paul) Alexander; sons, Brian (Carol) Arends and Brad (Lori) Arends; daughter, Beth Arends; grandchildren, Mariah, Cole, Luke, Britta, Abbigale, Rebecca, and Sophia; nieces and nephews. And the closet of friends that are like family to him. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, George and Iva Arends, and his sister, Calverna Green.