Dennis J. Geranen, 82, of Aberdeen, SD, formerly Frederick, SD, passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 9, 2023, at Bethesda Home of Aberdeen.

A Memorial Service for Dennis will be at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 21, 2023, at Schriver’s Memorial Chapel, with Pastor Justin Brotzel of Frederick officiating. Visitation will be one hour before the service.

A time of fellowship and luncheon will follow the service at Schriver’s Memorial Fellowship Center.

Burial will follow the luncheon at Sunset Memorial Gardens Cemetery.

Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary and Crematory, 414 5th Avenue NW, Aberdeen, is in charge of arrangements.  Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.schriversmemorial.com.

Dennis John Geranen was born on April 16, 1941, to Eddie and Stella (Anderson) Geranen on a farm near Frederick, SD.  He attended elementary school in Barnard and a country school, later graduating from Frederick High School in 1959.

Following graduation, Dennis worked on the Oahe Dam in Pierre, South Dakota.  He then joined his brother Dayton and brother-in-law Manuel Saroff in San Francisco, CA.

On August 6, 1961, Dennis married his high school sweetheart, Karen McCullough, at Savo Church in rural Frederick, SD.  They then moved to California, where Dennis continued with carpentry.  In 1962, their first daughter Rebecca was born and in 1965 Barbara was born.  They purchased their first home in Half Moon Bay, CA.

Dennis joined the San Mateo Fire Department and worked there for seven years.  He worked in construction with his brother Dayton as well.  He later joined him full-time, and they built a new home in Lafayette, CA for his family.  Dennis and Dayton formed Geranen Brothers Construction, building 13 custom homes in the area. In 1977, they moved to rural Frederick, SD where he made a home for his family. In 1984, he worked for Super Eight Builders, where he was a superintendent.  He built nine motels in nine different states.

He was awarded quality motel of the year, cleanest/safest job site, and most pride in company property.  Dennis was very proud to receive these awards from the company.  In 1991 he worked for Avera St. Luke’s as the 1st carpenter on staff, retiring in 2006.

Dennis loved spending time with family and friends, fishing, hunting pheasants, and enjoying his wife’s wonderful food.  He also loved attending his granddaughter’s sporting events and fishing, camping, and hunting with his grandsons.

Dennis was known for his sense of humor as he always had a joke at the ready.  He was always willing to help out family, friends, and co-workers with carpentry projects.  The highlight of every year was hosting his extended family and friends for pheasant hunting festivities.

Grateful for having shared his life are daughters: Rebecca (Richard) Allen of Baudette, MN, Barb Geranen of Aberdeen, SD, Tony (Natalie) Knox and their children Sami and Bryce of Shakopee, MN; grandsons Joshua Dennert and Casey Dennert of Aberdeen; granddaughters Morghan (Josh Zack) Waage and Madisyn (Devon) Braun of Sioux Falls, SD; sisters-in-law: Cynthia Geranen of Rapid City, SD, and Debbie Fischenick of Sioux Falls, SD; and many nieces and nephews. Also, a very special great-granddaughter, Avery Jo Gruenstein and parents Rob and Randi.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Karen; son-in-law Brian Ham; siblings: Joan, Dayton, Jim, and Russell, and their spouses Manuel, Connie, and Darlene.