Dennis Lee Haven

Haven, Dennis Lee age 85, died January 17, 2024 in Deland, Florida. He was born to Harold and Cecelia on March 6, 1938 in Morris, Minnesota. The family farmed in Herman, Minnesota, and later farmed in Cosmos, Minnesota. When Denny was in 9th grade, the family moved north to Walker, where they owned the Sunset View Resort on the east side of Leech Lake. Denny spent his summer days helping around the resort and guiding visitors on fishing trips. During the school year at Walker High School, he played tuba in the band, sang in a barbershop quartet, and was in the choir. He was awarded a trip to Canada by the Jaycees and was a star halfback, setting records for the football team. His father died when Denny was a junior in high school. His mother sold the resort, moved to Walker, and then Minneapolis. Denny worked at a grocery store and a gas station during high school, and after graduation, Denny joined his mother in Minneapolis. Denny was offered a football scholarship to the University of Minnesota and attended for a year. He met and married Viola Marie Leuthardt from Chokio in 1960. Denny and Viola started their family in Saint Louis Park. As a member of the Army Reserves, he was called to serve during the Cuban Missile Crisis. He worked in graves administration, played football and was a member of the Army Honor Guard. Following his army service, Denny returned to Minneapolis and worked at a South Minneapolis grocery store. At the age of 30, Dennis joined the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD). At this time, Denny and Viola made the decision to move to Montrose, Minnesota, where he believed it would be a great place to raise his growing family. Denny worked in many different areas including SWAT, Vice Squad, US Marshal’s Service and finally serving as lieutenant of his beloved K-9 group. Two awards he was extremely proud of were the Medal of Honor from MPD and the Good Neighbor Award from WCCO Radio. After retiring from MPD after 26 years, he joined the Metro Transit Police Force, retiring in 2003 after 7 years as Captain. During his years as a police officer in Minneapolis, also managed to run an Arabian horse farm in Montrose, with the help of his family. After the death of his beloved Viola, Denny married Sue Frase. He moved to his Lindsey Lake home in Backus and worked part-time as a police officer in Walker, Minnesota, for 7 years. They traveled to Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belize, Costa Rica, Panama, and many areas of the United States, finally choosing to winter in Astor, Florida, and summer at the new (old) cabin on Bass Lake north of Cohasset, MN. Denny was a member of the Backus Lions, Backus American Legion, Astor VFW, Astor Community Center, St. Mary of Czestochowa Catholic Church (Delano, MN), St. Huberts of the Forest Mission (Astor), and Sacred Heart Catholic Church (Hackensack, MN). Wherever Denny was, he entertained friends and family with stories of growing up on the farm, working the resort on Leech Lake, school at Walker, Army and police experiences. His laugh was legendary. Denny is survived by his wife Suzanne Varner Frase Haven, Astor/Cohasset, and children Kim (Brian) Jans, Buffalo; Tracy (Mike) Hinkemeyer, Monticello; Cindy (Jim) Marston, Buffalo; Denise (Mark) Holthaus, Buffalo; Tony Haven, Montrose; step-sons Aaron (Colleen Healy) Frase, St. Paul; and Adam (Maggie Jones) ten Bensel Frase, Westminster, Maryland. Also grandchildren Josh Jans, Miranda Jans Krueger, Luke Jans, Zach Jans, Marissa Jans; Brienne Hinkemeyer Elstad, Jenna Hinkemeyer O'Donnell; Emily Marston Perella, Bill Marston, Haley Marston Marolt, Molly Marston; Ashley Holthaus Naula, Aaron Holthaus, Lexie Holthaus, Abbie Holthaus, Allie Pogatchnik Holthaus; Summer Lynn Haven, Riley Haven, Wyatt Haven, Willow Haven; Ava Frase, Etta Frase, Samara Frase; Waldo ten Bensel, Hazel ten Bensel; and great grandchildren Gwen, Josie, William, Everett, Elianna, Brennan, Cassidy, Clayton, Caitlin, Roman, Rhett, John Paul, Carson, Jameson, Jackson, Lily, Claire, Bridget, Vinny, Haven, Holly, Zander, Sawyer, Lylian, Jack, Brynlie, Bryson, Penelope. Preceded in death by parents, brother Harold Jr., sister Marcella Anderson, wife Viola. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, March 2 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, Walker, MN. Burial will be at 9:45 a.m., Sunday, March 3 at St. Mary of Czestochowa, Delano, MN. Visit www.beyersfuneralhome.com for a video memorial of Denny’s amazing life.

Dennis Lee Haven

March 6, 1938 - January 17, 2024