Dennis J. Olander

PEQUOT LAKES - Dennis James Olander, 61, of Pequot Lakes, died of cancer at Bethany Good Samaritan Home in Brainerd on Sunday, Aug. 10, 2008. He was born May 9, 1947, to Helmer and Veronica (Griep) Olander. He married Bonnie Bartella on Oct. 26, 1968, in Staples. Dennis served in the U.S. Navy for four years. He worked as a mechanic for Interstate Diesel in Bloomington for 10 years. Dennis, and his wife, Bonnie, had their own lawn service for the past 20 years.

Dennis farmed in his spare time and loved making sausage and providing fresh vegetables for his friends and family. He loved to hunt and fish and share his stories with everyone.

He is survived by his wife of 39 years; daughters, Lisa Spizzo (Tom), of Breezy Point, Terri Shogren, (Chad), of Pine River; brothers, Roy Olander (Mary Lou), of Staples, John Olander (Marian), of Aurora, Ill., Steve Olander (Julie), of Clara City; sisters, Rosalie Fox, of Sauk Centre, Janice Bobendrier (Chuck), of Pipestone, Mary May (Ervin), of Long Prairie, Jane Salber (Ron), of Barnesville. He will be missed by his four grandchildren, Aiden, Julia, Ethan and Jonathan.

Services will be 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 13, at St. Alice Catholic Church in Pequot Lakes. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5-7 p.m. at Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes, with a prayer service at 7 p.m. Burial and military honors will be 11 a.m. on Thursday at Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery, Camp Ripley. Arrangements are with Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes.