Dennis Alan Koele

Dennis Alan Koele, age 80, of Apple Valley, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 19, 2026. Denny was born on July 4, 1946 in Sheldon, Iowa to Gerald and Leora (Erkes) Koele. He graduated from Sheldon High School and Mankato State University with a degree in Urban Planning. His first job was in Florida where he was on the land acquisition team that purchased all of the property for what is now Disney World. Later he became a mortgage underwriter and was working for Wells Fargo when he retired in 2012.

He is survived and deeply loved by his life partner, Sue Knudson; his brother, Doug (Jane) Koele; two nieces, Lindsey (Tom) Schmidt (and their children, Owen and Cece) and Jenny (Jordan) Fuehrer. He is also loved by Sue's family, son, Jon (Patricia) Knudson and daughter, Joelle (Spencer Dula) Knudson; grandchildren, Tess (Douglas) Skinner and Tanner (Kalsi) Knudson; great grandchildren, Berlin, Sawyer, Sophie, and Camden; and son-in-law, Tyler Zehring.

Denny was preceded in death by his son, Brandon; his parents; and Sue's daughter, Jamie Zehring.

Per Denny's wishes, there will be no service. There will be a private family interment in the fall at Resurrection Cemetery in Mendota Heights.

"He will be forever loved and in our hearts."