Dennis A. Fahrenkamp, age 77 of Oxford, MS, formerly of Prior Lake, MN passed away on December 29, 2020 at the Mississippi State Veterans Home. Funeral services will be held in the summertime and Dennis will be laid to rest at Spring Lake Cemetery.
On February 12, 1943, Dennis was born to parents Marlin and Elva (Gerdes) Fahrenkamp in New Prague, MN. Dennis was the oldest of seven children to be raised Prior Lake. Dennis enjoyed growing up with his siblings, Donald, Jane, Kathy, John, Susan, and Cindy. Dennis attended and graduated from Prior Lake High School.
After high school, Dennis enlisted in the Navy and proudly served his country until his honorable discharge. He was honored to say he was a Tin Can Sailor, serving on the U.S.S. Peterson (DE-152) -1964 in Florida.
Returning to Prior Lake, and after a brief period of time he was hired with the Minneapolis based Northwest Orient Airlines. He was able to travel from Minneapolis to many parts of the globe. He met and married JoAnne, and her three girls were just a bonus to the mix. JoAnne’s older daughter continued her upbringing in Minnesota. Dennis soon took his young family to O’ahu, Hawaii where his skills were needed at Honolulu International Airport. During the time living there, he made many friends and became O’hana (family) to many. It was a beautiful life living on the Leeward side of the island. Dennis and JoAnne decide to dissolve their marriage, and move back to the mainland.
Dennis returns to Minnesota a start again, leaving his children in Washington State. He got settled with home and work, and while at the VFW in Prior Lake reconnected with his high school sweetheart Toni (Meyer) Trulson. They had known one another since they were teenagers; and during high school, Dennis took Toni to the Prior Lake High School prom. Dennis soon asked Toni to marry him and she said yes. Their celebration month was February 1984.
After a few years of marriage, Dennis and Toni moved south to Hernando, Mississippi. He continued to work for Northwest Airlines in Memphis. Retiring after Northwest merged with Delta Airlines in 1991. Dennis and Toni enjoyed traveling internationally and domestically. They spent time with friends at their cabin in Arkansas. They were active in the VFW and the American legion in Hernando, Mississippi. Toni in the Auxiliary at the VFW and Dennis making ‘beer can’ bi-airplanes. He missed the love of his life until the end of his life.
In the early morning of December 29, 2020, at the age of 77 Dennis is together again with Toni his wife of 29 years, and has entered God’s arms. He will be missed as a devoted husband, caring and supportive father, loving grandfather, and true friend.
Forever loved, Dennis is remembered by daughters, Jenifer (Denny) Woxen and Kathleen West; son, Troy Fahrenkamp, (all of Washington State); stepdaughter, Kristine (Todd) Pladsen of Savage, MN; stepsons Kenny Trulson of Prior Lake, MN, and John Trulson (deceased). Five grandchildren, and two great- grandchildren; siblings, Donald (Sandy) Fahrenkamp, Jane (Steve) Engel, Susan (Rick) Buccles, Cindy Hagen; brother-in-law, Wyatt Reed (Kathy), and sister-in-law, Becky (Jon) Fahrenkamp; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and forever friends.
Dennis is greeted in Heaven by his wife, Toni; parents, Marlin and Elva (Gerdes) Fahrenkamp; brother Jon Fahrenkamp, and sister, Kathy Reed.
The Celebration of Life Service will be held Saturday, August 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 10:00-11:00 AM all at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home in Prior Lake. Rev. Diana Hunstad will preside. Dennis will be laid to rest at Spring Lake Cemetery with military honors provided by the Prior Lake Honor Guard.
Everyone is encouraged to wear their favorite Hawaiian clothing in honor of Dennis.
Following the service, all are welcome to the home of Steven and Jane Engel for a luncheon in honor of Dennis.
