Dennis D. Tuel Sr.

Dennis Dean Tuel Sr.
Beloved husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Dr. Dennis Tuel, Sr., 79, passed away on April 22, 2015 at home surrounded by his devoted wife and family.

Dennis was born in a log cabin on November 7th, 1935 near Vining, Minnesota, and grew up on the family farm in the Brandon/Evansville area.

Dennis lived a life of great adventure and achievement. One motto that stayed with him always was: “He who does not plan ahead will remain behind.” He joined the National Guard at age 17 with the goal of a college education. He achieved this with a bachelor’s degree in Biology and Business at St. Cloud State University. Along the way, he developed a passion for aviation and pursued his natural gift of salesmanship.

He met the love of his life, Marsha Jean Furtman in Duluth, Minnesota, and they married on February 27, 1960 after a brief engagement.

Throughout his lifetime he continued to challenge himself and truly embodied the spirit of entrepreneurship. His long and varied career included being chief pilot and general manager of Miami Piper. After moving back home to Minnesota, he developed several businesses, most notable ShoreMaster, Inc., which brought to market the first all aluminum boat lift.

First and foremost, he was a devoted family man who passed on the importance of hard work, ingenuity, perseverance, and goal setting to his family and all who came in contact with him. Dennis was a gifted mentor and storyteller, and was always in the pursuit of new challenges. He raised buffalo, developed a wind energy business, earned a PhD in International Business, wrote his memoirs, and guided his children through their own successful endeavors. He also had an enormous love of animals, which he shared with Marsha, and passed on to his children.

Dennis was very involved in his community, his alumnus SCSU, and all things political. He constantly gave back. He was a member of several boards including Bremer Bank, the National Bison Association, the 544 Foundation dedicated to local education, and was a lifetime sponsor of Ducks Unlimited. He also generously supported several local organizations, and was the force behind the Continental Divide Park and Historical Center next to Big Chief Truck Stop.

Dennis lived his life with gusto and passion right to the very end. His children and grandchildren will always be grateful for the legacy he left behind, most succinctly put in his own words: “You create or establish your Destiny with Drive and Determination coupled with Self-Discipline and Integrity.”

He is preceded in death by his father, Woodrow; mother, Muriel; sister, Val Jean, brother, Dell, and daughter, Mary.

He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Marsha; brother, Terry (Cathy) Tuel, daughter Lisa (Erik) Ahlgren; daughter Lori (Michael) Botzet; daughter Melissa (Raymond) Rogers; son Dennis Jr. (Kristin) Tuel, daughter Tricia (Michael) Vetrone; 17 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Memorials preferred to the Leukemia Research Foundation or 544 Foundation.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Monday, April 27, 2015, with a 6:30 p.m. prayer service at Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls. Visitation will resume one hour prior to the service at the church.
Service: 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 28, 2015, at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church
Clergy: Father Alan Wielinski
Interment: St. Otto’s Catholic Cemetery, Fergus Falls
Olson Funeral Home in Fergus Falls is in charge of the arrangements.

Condolences may be sent online at www.olsonfuneralhome.com