Dennis Joseph Lawler Sr.
Friday, July 14, 1944
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Age:
81 years old
Visitation
Date: Monday March 30, 2026
Time: 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Second Visitation
Date: Tuesday March 31, 2026
Time: 10:00 am
Location: Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church [ view map ]
Funeral Mass
Date: Tuesday March 31, 2026
Time: 11:00 am
Location: Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church [ view map ]
Burial
Location: Calvary Cemetery [ view map ]
Friday, July 14, 1944
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Age:
81 years old
Friday, July 14, 1944
Date of Death:
Saturday, March 21, 2026
Age:
81 years old
Dennis Joseph Lawler Sr.
Dennis Joseph Lawler Sr., 81, passed away peacefully on March 21, 2026 at Rochester Methodist Hospital.
Dennis was born on July 14, 1944 in Rochester to Clare and Mary (Pierce) Lawler. He graduated from Lourdes High School in 1962. He then attended Mankato State University, graduating with a degree in English. He later obtained Masters Degrees in Agricultural Economics and Spanish. He valued his time in the US Peace Corps while stationed in Manila, Philippines. While Dennis was teaching at the University in Venezuela in 1981 he met Martha Camacho. They were then married in 1986. The couple lived in San Fernando, Apure, Venezuela where Dennis taught Economics at UNELLEZ University. In 1997, they moved their family to Rochester, MN where Dennis began teaching English to ESL students for Rochester Public Schools and teaching at Rochester Community and Technical College until the time of his passing. During this time, he also taught Spanish at Lourdes High School. Dennis was a social person who loved to greet and talk with anyone he encountered. He was a kind, generous soul to all those he knew and loved.
He is survived by his wife Martha of Rochester, his children Myra Powers of Crystal, MN, Daniela (Garrett) Stock of Farmington, MN, Dennis Joseph Jr. (McKena) Lawler of Rochester, his siblings Helen (Jim) Frigaard, Jerome Lawler, Gerald Lawler, Richard (Sharon) Lawler and Mary (Alex) Kilen, five grandchildren Brandon, Matthew, Carl, Wade and Vivienne.
He is preceded in death by his parents and sister-in-law Mary Ann Lawler.
The Funeral Mass for Dennis will be held on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at 11:00AM at Resurrection Catholic Church with Father James Steffes officiating. Visitation will be held Monday evening, March 30, 2026 from 5:00pm until 7:00pm in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home along with one hour prior to the Mass on Tuesday. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Rochester, MN.
Memorials are preferred to Church of the Resurrection Catholic Church in Rochester.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
Sign Guestbook
Send your condolences to the family of Dennis Joseph Lawler Sr..
At the family's request, Macken Funeral Home will publish your message on this website.
Condolences
The family of Dennis Joseph Lawler Sr. has received the following condolences.
Dennis was a good person that I had the privilege to teach economics with at RCTC. He was always quick with a friendly smile and had an engaging humorous perspective on world events. He always loved to share stories of his time in Venezuela and his family. I’m glad I got the opportunity to get to know him. Rest in peace my friend.
Dennis,
I don’t think I ever told you this enough, but you changed my life.
When I first got here, I was just a kid trying to figure things out, far from home and everything I knew. You didn’t have to do anything for me, but you did. You welcomed me in like I belonged. Not just into your home, but into your family.
You made a place feel like home when I needed it the most.
I’ll always remember the weekends, the rides to the farm, the time spent just talking, walking, and being around you and your family. Those moments meant more than I probably showed back then. You had a way of making things feel simple, real, and good.
You didn’t just take care of your own, you looked out for people. You gave without expecting anything back. That’s rare. And I was lucky enough to experience that firsthand.
I saw the kind of man you were, as a father, as a husband, as a son, as a friend. Just a genuinely good human being, the kind people respect and don’t forget.
To the Lawler family, thank you for sharing Dennis with so many of us. My heart is with you, and I’m truly sorry for your loss.
I’m far away now, but this one hits close. I feel it.
Thank you for everything you gave me, for the kindness, the time, and the way you made me feel like I had a place when I needed one.
Rest easy, Dennis. You did more than you probably ever realized.
You’ll always be remembered.
Sad to hear of Dennys passing.
We dated in college and he was always such a gentleman. Those were the days when we both were innocent and remained so.
Fond memories of just walking and exploring the parks around Mankato.