Dennis Mead

LTC, Dennis Eugene Mead, age 75 of Milaca, MN (formerly of Menahga, MN and Gaylord, MN) died Oct 7, 2019 at the St. Cloud, MN, Hospital with family by his side, overlooking the mighty Mississippi River and Autumn trees which he loved.

Dennis was born on January 13, 1944 in Denver, CO. At three weeks old, he was adopted into the family of Donald and Bernice Mead. He grew up in a loving family with one brother in Brighton, CO. Dennis graduated Brighton High School in 1962. He enjoyed telling stories of his youth and high school years.

Dennis enlisted in the Army in 1966. While in Officer Candidate School at Ft. Benning, GA, he met his wife, Wanda. They married in Clyde, NC on Nov. 25,1967. In 1968, he was stationed at the DMZ in Korea during the Vietnam War. He returned home to Wanda and three month old daughter, Denyce Carole.

Dennis graduated from the Univ. of CO with a BA in Psychology and further graduated from SD State Univ. with a Master in Education. Dennis worked for the Union Pacific and Burlington Northern Railroads, MN Home School, and the State of MN Dept. of Corrections retiring with 30 years. He also retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Army Reserves with 29 years.

Dennis was a service-oriented person. He was a school volunteer grandparent, a member of the Menahga Conservation Club, a lifelong volunteer of Boy/Girl Scouts, Dennis and Wanda were foster parents for over 20 years, and he belonged to the Gaylord UCC clown club where he enjoyed performing his Emmett Kelly character. He was also active in this church serving as president, camp counselor, or teaching Sunday School.

As an Eagle Scout, Dennis’ troop from CO took part in a Boundary Water Canoe Area (BWCA) trip where he fell in love with MN. After their daughter, Denyce, died in 1971, Dennis and Wanda moved from CO to MN.

Dennis was a kind and giving gentleman with a sense of humor. He enjoyed reading, listening to music, and took great joy in the outdoors. He treasured spending his retirement living on the Shell River and loved the four seasons of MN. He enjoyed watching birds, hiking, camping, canoeing, swimming, boating, water skiing, downhill skiing, and visiting State and National Parks with his children and grandchildren. He actively participated with his kids and grandkids in games, sports, activities, and conversations. He always made time for them. He instilled his love of the outdoors to them. Highlights for Dennis were traveling in all 50 states, all of his BWCA trips, and his 70-mile canoe trip down the Crow Wing River with his family when he turned 70.

Dennis is survived by his wife; children, Ryan (Danae) of Parker, CO, Alisa (Tim) Truebenbach of Cambridge, MN, and Gabe (Julianna) of Carbondale, CO; his grandchildren, Megan, Lily, Jared, Chloe, Asher, Henry, Lainey, and Mara; as well as his brother, Ronald Mead of Chappell, NE; two sisters-in-law, Norma Cole of Greensboro, NC and Linda (Earl) Williams of Nashville, TN; 12 nieces and nephews; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his daughter; his parents; four sisters-in-law, Phyllis Mead, Linda Mead, Joyce Kessner, and Jan Sheffield; three brothers-in-law, Jim Long, Doug Massey, and Carl Kessner; and two great-nephews, Christopher Head and Caney Ramsey.

Celebration of Life service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Monday, Nov. 4, 2019 at First United Church, UMC/UCC, 1000 1st St SE, Little Falls, Mn 56345. The Committal Service will be at 12:00 pm, Camp Ripley Cemetery, 15550 Highway 115, Little Falls, Mn 56345. A light lunch and fellowship will follow the services back at First United Church.

In lieu of flowers, the family would prefer donations be given to https://www.savetheboundarywaters.org/.

All donations received will be forwarded to Save the Boundary Waters. *On the website, select “DONATE.” On the bottom of the donation page, please select “I’d like to make this contribution in honor or in memory of someone,” and please fill in Honoree Name; Dennis Eugene Mead, OR write checks to: Save the Boundary Waters, mail to: Save the Boundary Waters, P.O. Box 625, Ely, MN 55731, and please fill in check memo line “In Memory of Dennis Eugene Mead.”

The family would like to give a special thank you to Elim Oasis Adult Health Center, Princeton, MN and Lori Lestina, formerly of Family Pathways.