Date of Birth:
Friday, June 28, 1946
Date of Death:
Friday, September 10, 2021
Age:
75 years old

Dennis D. Wilder

Dennis “Denny” Dale Wilder, Age 75 of Rochester, passed away on Fri. Sept. 10th from an abdominal aneurysm in the comfort of his own home.

Dennis was a sportsman, antiquarian, and lover of women. He was born June 28, 1946 in Rochester, to Louis and Violet (Schuchard) Wilder. He graduated from Rochester High School and went on to serve honorably in the U.S. army as an expert (rifleman).

Following the army, Denny found his niche as a carpet layer and flooring installer. He made long standing friendships at the old “Installer’s Place”. Later in life he made more friendships and had a successful career as a realtor for Century 21. Most notably though, Dennis has been a longtime vendor and dealer at the Rochester Gold Rush. With one of his best friends, he has maintained the same spot, under the Oak Tree, at Gold Rush where he would tell anyone who would listen, a story about an artifact in question.

Denny oved Hunting and Fishing and would make trips almost every year with his good friends to fish in Canada or hunt Elk in Montana.  It was not uncommon for Denny to catch fish 48″ long, though he had typically eaten them before his arrival home.

Dennis was one of the Best Father’s in the world and would read to his children (Katie & Jamie (James)) nightly inspiring a love of learning. There was nothing he was more proud of than his three grandchildren (Olivia, Asher, & Max). Denny was a man of stories and shared his love, knowledge of history, & Morales with his friends and family through tales about artifacts and text in books. His children and grandchildren strive to live up to his virtues of kindness, charity, fortitude, and treating all mankind as brothers/sisters.

Dennis is also survived by two brothers, John (Lois) of Sun City, Ariz. and Lewis (Carole) of Hastings. Denny also took great join in his 7 nieces and nephews: Kim, LaDonna, Danny, Patti, Brenda, Mike, Mark, and Tina; his sisters in-law Cheryl (Dean) Pederson, Sharon; and his many extended family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers: Gerald (Jukie) and Kenneth, and his sister Darlene.

Dennis lived life happily, in his own unique way and always treated the people he met as brothers and sisters. Love your neighbors, treat all of humanity as your brothers and sisters, and read to your children. Those were Denny’s Final wishes.

Dennis Wilder has touched the hearts of many he has met over the years and will be sorely missed.

A Memorial Service will be at 10:30 A.M. Wed. Sept. 22nd at Peace United Church of Christ, 1503 Second Ave. NE, Rochester, with Rev. Paul Bauch officiating. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Masks are required for attendees and the service will be livestreamed from the Peace Church Website (www.peacechurchucc.org) for anyone feeling ill, or unable to attend. The interment will be held at the Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Preston with full military honors at 1:00 P.M. sharp.

Following burial in Preston a Celebration of Life will be held at the Eagles Club Rochester to share stories and raise a glass to Denny for how he has touched all of our hearts over the years. Festivities begin at 3:00 P.M.