Molgaard, Dennis D. (1946-2014)
MOLGAARD, HEIKENS, PANFILE, ANDERSON
Posted By: Paul Nagy (email)
Date: 4/7/2014 at 22:11:47
Dennis D. Molgaard
June 28, 1946 - March 11, 2014Storm Lake, Iowa
Dennis D. Molgaard, age 67, of Storm Lake, passed away on Tuesday, March 11, 2014, at the Avera McKennan Hospital and University Health Center of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, after suffering a spinal cord injury.
The eldest son of Fredrick Enoch and Marjorie June Heikens Molgaard, Dennis was born on June 28, 1946, in Storm Lake, Iowa. After graduating from Storm Lake High School in 1964, he attended Buena Vista College for one year.
In 1966, Dennis enlisted in the United States Army. Trained in the Chemical Lab Division at Fort McClellan, Alabama, he spent part of his service in San Francisco and Alaska. After his discharge, he returned to college to complete a master’s degree in mathematics. He supported himself by working at Radio Shack. Subsequently, while living in California, he did pyrotechnics and firework shows with a close friend during the summer months.
Dennis taught mathematics, calculus, and computer science for thirty-seven years at several colleges including California State University Los Angeles and Cal Poly. He enjoyed traveling. One summer he traveled from California to Iowa and then on to Ohio and New Jersey visiting his siblings and their families. He would come back to Iowa every Christmas and often in September during a college break as well. He enjoyed playing tennis, watching MASH and Star Trek, collecting Danish, U.S., and Canadian stamps, and playing chess and other board games with family members. In addition, he had a keen interest in photography. His sisters and brothers enjoyed playing Trivia with him, and even with three against one, he would still win. He had a great mind.
After he was diagnosed with MS, Denny moved back to Storm Lake in 2008 to be near his sister, Deb, and her family.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his twin sisters, Sandra and Susan; and his grandparents, Enock and Elisa Molgaard and George and Edna Heikens; as well as by many aunts and uncles.
Survivors include his siblings, Diane Panfile, Deborah (Jack) Anderson, and Robert (Cherry) Molgaard; and his nieces and nephews, Troy, Allen, Cory, Josh, and Amanda Panfile and Lisa Brus, Deanna, Joseph, Angela, and Vickie Molgaard; as well as many great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins.
A private family funeral service will be held with the Rev. Don E. Rothweiler officiating. Burial will be at the Scandinavian Cemetery of Alta with military rites conducted by the Alta VFW Post #6172. A visitation will be held on Friday, March 14, 2014, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM at the Nicklas D. Jensen Funeral Home of Alta.
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