Dennis Alan Strange

DENNIS ALAN STRANGE

November 18, 1945 – November 13, 2020

                Dennis Alan Strange, age 74, of Lake Emma Township, north of Park Rapids, MN, passed into eternity on Friday evening, November 13, 2020 at his home with his loved ones at his side.

                Dennis was born on November 18, 1945 in Gary, Indiana to Kenneth and Irene (Kish) Strange.  At the age of two, he moved with his family to Riverside, CA where his dad owned and operated a body shop in nearby, Barstow.  Dennis grew up helping in the family auto body business and driving tow truck.  He attended public school in Riverside, graduating from the Cal-Poly-Tech High School in with the Class of 1964.  Shortly thereafter, Dennis was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served his country as a drill sergeant at Fort Ord, CA before shipping off to serve in two tours of duty in Vietnam.  In 1967, Dennis was wounded in combat and sent home to California to receive treatment and therapy for his injuries.  While home recuperating he met a young woman, Judy Strange who had ventured to California from her home in North Dakota and was working for the phone company.  The two met on a blind date and fell in love.  Dennis had received his honorable discharge and was awarded the Purple Heart from the Army in August of 1968.  He was united in marriage to Judy on January 25, 1969 in Jamestown, ND.  The young couple made their home in the Minneapolis area, where Dennis gained employment working as a pressman for the McGill-Jensen Printing Company in a career that spanned 38 ½ years.  Upon retiring, Dennis and Judy purchased a country home near Park Rapids to help care for Judy’s aging parents.  Dennis became active in volunteering much of his time to help with Veteran causes; specifically, The Disabled American Veterans and the All Veteran’s Memorial in Park Rapids.  He also kept busy working part-time driving for Heartland Transportation and serving as a Minnesota DNR Boat Inspector.  In his spare time, he enjoyed watching westerns and was a big John Wayne and Clint Eastwood fan.  He loved the outdoors; especially when he could be hunting, fishing, or playing golf.  He was very proud to have harvested one of the biggest Black Bears on record on a hunting trip near Ely, MN.  Dennis will be remembered as a devoted husband and father who lived life to the fullest and loved his family with all his heart and as a loyal friend who was always willing to help.

                He will be lovingly remembered by his wife for these past 52 years, Judy of Park Rapids; his three sons: Wesley of St. Cloud, Mark (Chrystal) Strange of Centuria, WI and Shoan (Sheila) Strange of Huntersville, NC; his eight dearly loved grandchildren; two brothers: James Strange of Charlotte, NC and David Strange of CA; as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

                Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his father-in-law, Erwin Mueller, and his brother-in-law, Wesley Mueller who was killed serving his country in Vietnam.

                Funeral services will be held at 2 PM Friday, November 20, 2020 at the Jones-Pearson Funeral Home with the Rev. Joshua Hawn officiating.  The casket bearers will be his eight grandchildren.  Interment will be made in the Fort Ripley State Veterans Cemetery.  Visitation will begin one hour prior to the services.  The Star of the North Marine Corps League will provide full military honors. 

To leave online condolences or to view the video tribute please visit www.jonespearson.com