Dennis Drury

NO SERVICES TO BE HELD AT THIS TIME

Dennis Drury, age 72 of Bemidji, MN passed away February 24, 2020 at GoldPine Home in Bemidji, MN after a long and hard-fought battle with cancer.

Dennis Gerald Drury was born on April 28, 1947 in Vienna, Austria, the oldest of four children born to Gertrude (Berndt) and Gerald Drury. His father’s military career meant that Dennis would live in various locations (Germany, Japan, Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma and Milwaukee, WI) until the family was able to make a permanent home in New Richmond, Wisconsin when Dennis was a freshman in high school. In 1965, Dennis graduated from New Richmond High School and went on to play football and attend college for a time at the University of Wisconsin, Stout. On June 6, 1969, Dennis married Judy Anderson and they welcomed a daughter, Stacy, that October. Dennis graduated from the University of Wisconsin, River Falls in 1973. In April of that year, Dennis and Judy became the proud parents of a son, Justin.

Dennis worked for the Minnesota Department of Corrections for 35 years. He began his career as a guard at Stillwater Prison while attending college in River Falls. After graduation, he took a job as a caseworker at the prison for a short time until he was able to move into his chosen area, working as a probation and parole agent, first in Hennepin County, then in Becker County, where he and Judy settled and raised their family. One more move came in 1993 when they moved to Bemidji after Dennis took a promotion, becoming a regional supervisor for the department’s Sentence to Service Program.

Dennis was an avid hunter, fisherman, and Green Bay Packers fan. His interest in farming led him at various times to beekeeping, raising chickens, vegetable gardening, even raising a pig one time. Dennis was a collector of antiques, stories and friends. He was a constant reader of fiction and outdoor publications. He could often be found at coffee with friends, or at a campfire, either together with family or alone with a good book. He relished his role as “Papa” to Ava and Levi, who made him so proud.

Preceding Dennis in death are his parents, Gerald and Gertrude Drury, and a nephew, Brandon Drury.

Dennis is survived by his children, Stacy Kathleen Drury (Brian Gross) and Justin Gerald Drury (Tricia); precious grandchildren, Ava Kathleen Gross and Levi Joseph Gross; former wife and dear friend, Judy Drury; siblings, Susan Nygaard (Noble), Gerald Jr. Drury (Cathy) and Ronnie Drury (Lisa); and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, March 21, 2020 at New Salem Lutheran Church in Turtle River near Bemidji, Minnesota from 11:00-12:00 a.m. with visitation to be held one hour prior (10:00-11:00). As he requested, Dennis’ ashes will be spread at his beloved Turtle River Lake this summer.

Guestbook at www.OlsonSchwartzFuneralHome.com