Dennis E. Dahlke

About Dennis

Dennis Dahlke, 83, of Clearbrook, Minnesota died on Monday, March 20, 2023 at his home.

He was born on March 11, 1940 in Holst Township near Clearbrook, MN to Carl and Mabel (Baumann) Dahlke. He attended Ruffybrook Country School and went on to attend Bagley High School. Dennis briefly went to Trade School and specialized in Electronics before joining the National Guard in 1960.

On May 29, 1965, Dennis married Sheryl Hanson and together they raised a family until later parting. Dennis worked briefly in construction before working for Headwaters Mill and Fletcher Lumber. He was inspired to build his own mill and ran it from 1974 to the present day, though he had slowed down a bit in his eighties. The sawmill was his life’s work and he cherished it.

Dennis was a hard worker, never really stopped and always seemed to have a lumber or pallet order to fill. He was quite the handy man and could fix just about anything. He was always building and engineering new sawmill equipment for new projects. Though he was a man of few words, he was very generous and always ready to help. When he was younger, he enjoyed hunting and fishing.

He is survived by his five children, Kenny (Joni), Gaylene Zilic, Chad (Yolanda), Greig, and Ashley (Dave) Dahlke; eleven grandchildren, Kali, Kelsey, Alisha, Alex, Azalea, Cole, Henri, Sofia, Hunter, Johanna, and Dresden; his great grandchild, Odin; his siblings, Dalton Dahlke, Arlan Dahlke, Mary Haugen, Linda Bergland, and Carl Dahlke, Jr.; his bonus son and friend, Little Dennis Stevens; and many other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Carl and Mabel Dahlke; his brother, Duane Dahlke; and his significant other, Ida Mae Stevens.

memorial service

Memorial Services for Dennis

March 31, 2023

Cease Family Funeral Home 407 Getchell Ave NE, Bagley, MN 56621, USA

Visitation will be one hour prior.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home