Dennis Drewes

Dennis C. Drewes, age 78, of Frazee, MN, passed away Friday, November 27, 2015, at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND, surrounded by his family.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m., Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at Community Alliance Church in Detroit Lakes, MN.  Visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, December 1, 2015, at Community Alliance Church in Detroit Lakes with a prayer service to take place at 7 p.m.  Interment will be made at the Toad Lake Cemetery.

Dennis Christ Drewes was the sixth of twelve children born to Albert and Elsie (Glander) Drewes on March 20, 1937. He was born and raised on the family farm in Evergreen township of Frazee, MN. He attended school in Frazee and later worked on the Art Quade turkey farm. He then worked a short period of time for Stub Bradbury in road construction before entering the military. He was drafted into the U.S. Army on September 19, 1955 and honorably discharged on August 31, 1961. Dennis then worked for Harvey W. Nelson and then in partnership with his brothers Aldon and Clarence. In 1973 Dennis and Marvin Quade started DenMar Construction which operated until 1979. Dennis then started Dennis Drewes, Inc. in 1979.

He was united in marriage to his “heartsweet,” Judy Fiedler on June 27, 1959 in Corliss Township, Perham, MN. They were blessed with 4 children, Dwight, Tim, Lisa, and Jill.

Dennis was an active member and elder of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church of Evergreen for many years and later became a member of Community Alliance Church of Detroit Lakes, MN. He was also involved in High Mileage Club of Community Alliance Church. Dennis was a member of the Gideons International and a member of the American Legion Post 1982.

Spending time with family and friends was very important to Dennis. He often attended his grandchildren’s sporting events.   He enjoyed wood working, playing cards, and bird watching, especially martins. Dennis really enjoyed his special 12-object game which was a conversation ice breaker. Many people got frustrated because he always stumped them. In recent years, Dennis enjoyed making a trip around the block and visiting neighbors, and they were all familiar with his white truck.

Dennis is survived by his wife , Judy, of 57 years; two sons, Dwight (Julie) and Tim (Holly) both of Frazee, MN; two daughters, Lisa (Jeff) Ratz and Jill (Greg) Ratz both of Vergas, MN; 18 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren; 2 brothers, Aldon (Donna) of Detroit Lakes, MN and Kenneth (Linda) of Omaha, Nebraska; 2 sisters, Madeline (Elmer) Yliniemi of Park Rapids, MN and Karen Steichen of Lake City, Florida.

Preceding Dennis in death are his parents, brothers Alfred, James, Clarence, and Delbert; sisters, Esther Ylitalo, Marion Feldt, and Vivian Anderson.

Dennis was a man of strong faith, believing in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love and the beauty and peace that would await him after his journey in this life was accomplished.