Dennis Dale Neitzke

Dennis Dale Neitzke
Nov. 26, 1953–Nov. 2, 2025
Dennis was welcomed into the loving arms of his Lord and Savior, Jesus, after a brief illness at Mayo Clinic Health System-Mankato. We trust that he promptly delivered a huge hug to his five-year-old grandson, Nolan, and his dad, Fred.
Dennis was born in Alma, Mich., to Fred and Carol (Northup) Neitzke, the second of four children. He graduated from Alma High School and then earned degrees in forestry and wildlife biology from Michigan Technological University. He spent a career spanning more than three decades with the U.S. Forest Service, working in the forests of Michigan, northern Wisconsin, Minnesota and finishing his career as the Dakota Prairie Grasslands Supervisor in Bismarck, N.D. He spent the majority of his retirement in Truman, though he was rarely still and traveled regularly.
He married Debbie (Bower) in Hayward, Wis., on Sept. 1, 1984, and their family ended up totaling five children and 18 grandchildren. They were also foster parents to many other children while living in St. Ignace, Mich.
Dennis was a master of all trades, with a wealth of knowledge and skills ranging from home improvement and auto mechanics to hunting, woodworking and munitions, which his children, grandchildren, and nieces and nephews regularly called upon. There was nothing Dad/Papa/Uncle Den couldn’t figure out how to do or fix. His hobbies included water sports such as boating and scuba diving, riding his bike, golfing, pheasant hunting with his Weimaraners, his wife and children’s honey-do lists, and spending time with his grandchildren, who were the joy of his life.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 41 years, Debbie; children, Leslie (Aaron) Berg, Aaron (Courtney) Neitzke, Nikki (Neal) Meyer, Jonathon (Breannan) Neitzke and Jennifer Neitzke; grandchildren, Gabriel (engaged to Klaire O’Leary), Jonathon, Oniimae, Zaryn and Chase Berg; Nora Neitzke; Micah, Malie, Matthias, Moses and Merek Meyer; Tyson and Audrina James and Brantley Jandl; Sophia Franks, and Kaidan and Luna Neitzke; mother, Carol Neitzke; siblings, Joel (Marsha) Neitzke, Elizabeth (Paul) Etheridge and Laurie (Lee) Schaeffer; aunt, Juanita (Northrup) Netzley; two sisters-in-law; and many nieces, nephews and other family members.
Per Dennis’ wishes, a private family celebration of life will be held at a later date. Memorials may be directed to the Nolan Bears’ Hearts Foundation, started in honor of Dennis’ grandson (nolanbearshearts.org), or the City of Truman, earmarked for the Truman Pool.