Dennis Leaunart

Dennis Leaunart, age 77 of Osakis went to meet his Lord on the evening of June 19, 2018 from the Salmons Place Care Center in rural Alexandria, MN.

On August 21, 1940 a son was born to Arthur and Grace (Streeter) Leaunart in Hutchinson, MN.  They named him Dennis Orlynn.  He grew up and graduated from Osakis High School with the Class of 1959 and went to work doing construction with a company in Minneapolis.   On May 18, 1968 Denny married Carol Navratil in Alexandria, MN.  She was the love of his life, and he would say with a smile the one he deemed ‘a keeper.’  They raised a family of four and Denny began a lifelong career as a truck driver.  He worked first for Swanson’s Trucking, then Didier Bros., and  then Hensley Trucking.  He teased that over the years he ‘backed up more miles than many people have ever driven forward.’  He also found time to farm with his parents and was especially busy from spring through fall harvest.  He eventually started his own trucking business in 1988 after having sold the farm in 1984.  He primarily hauled produce and turkey products and retired from driving truck in 2010.  He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Osakis.

Besides his comfort with big engines and Allis Chalmers tractors, Denny also enjoyed polishing his Ford, and he was known for his ‘Purple Pride’ truck.  After retirement, he especially enjoyed having more time to be with his family and grandchildren or to gather with friends and neighbors for coffee and conversation.  He was a strong, kind man who put strangers at ease with his warm eyes, welcoming smile and a story or joke to share.

Dennis will live on in the hearts of his family, especially his wife, Carol Leaunart of Osakis; children, Kim (Glenn) Ennen of Fremont, NE, Tammy (J R) Richelieu of Riverview, FL, Jason (Nikki) Leaunart and Jessica (Steve) Wussow, all of Osakis; 9 grandchildren, granddaughters, Ashton Rice, Madelyn Leaunart, McKenna Wussow and his six grandsons, Clay and Tyrel  Rice, Joey and Jake Ennen, Levi Leaunart and Brody Wussow; sisters, Sharon (Al) Hoffman of Sartell and Janice (Chub) Hensley of Osakis; aunt, Kathy Bowman of Osakis; many nieces and nephews.

Preceding him in death are his parents, Art and Grace Leaunart.

Funeral services for Dennis will be held on Monday, June 25, 2018 at 11:00 am at the First Presbyterian Church in Osakis with Rev. Randy Knuth officiating.  Musicians are Jeanette West and Sara Severson.  Interment is at the West Evergreen Cemetery in Osakis, MN with his grandsons acting as casketbearers.  Honorary bearers are Richard Vangstad, Alissa McCabe and all his fellow truckers.

Visitation hours are on Sunday, June 24 from 4 – 8 pm at the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home in Osakis and one hour before the service begins at the church.

Arrangements are being handled by the Roy-Hetland Funeral Home.