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 were Aug. 13 at St. Alice Catholic Church in Pequot Lakes. Burial and military honors will be 11 a.m. on Thursday at Minnesota State Veteran's Cemetery, Camp Ripley.
Arrangements were with Kline Funeral Home, Pequot Lakes.
