Denny Keating, age 76, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2022. A Time of Gathering to celebrate Denny’s life will be held at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake, MN) from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, and from 10:00 – 11:00 AM with closing prayers at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Interment at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, Prior Lake. Memorials preferred to American Heart Association, Pheasants Forever-4 Metro Area MN Chapter, or Believet.org/donate.
Friends and family can Live Stream services by visiting Denny Keating Closing Prayers
Dennis “Denny” Martin was born on August 29, 1945, in Minneapolis, MN, to Robert and Dorothy (Martin) Keating. The oldest of two kids, Denny grew up in Minneapolis, and graduated high school from DeLaSalle High School in 1963. Throughout the years, Denny developed numerous lifelong passions. He played football and baseball, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and got an early start in drag racing by taking his aunt’s car (without her permission) for joyrides with his brother Tom. Following high school, Denny began his career, working for a few different places before serving as a Deputy Sheriff in Hennepin and Scott County for five years. He then entered the Marine business, which he worked in for over 30 years before his retirement in 2020.
Shortly after high school, he was united in marriage to Patricia Gravelle on July 3, 1965. Together they were blessed with three children- Mike, Michelle, and Mark. They lived an amazing life together for many years before Patricia passed away from cancer in August of 1993. Denny and his next love and soulmate came together through their work at Minnetonka Boat Works. On May 15, 1999, Denny was blessed to welcome two more children into the family, and was united in marriage to Penny Robbins in Shakopee, MN. Denny was always involved in his children’s, and later, grandchildren’s lives. Throughout his life, Denny’s family was always the most important to him. He coached baseball and football, and rarely missed attending their various sporting events. Denny was especially known for his ability to put everyone before himself. When someone needed him, he was there for them in any way he could be. It seems that he never could finish any of his own projects because he was always lending a hand to others.
Denny lived his life to the fullest and was involved in numerous organizations and clubs over the years. Denny was involved in the Prior Lake Snowmobiling Association and Snow Trails, was a member of the Lake Country Retriever Club, Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, a lifetime member of the Minnesota Street Rod Association, safety inspector of the National Street Rod Association, and a member of the Over the Hill Gang in Lake Havasu, Arizona, where Denny and Penny wintered. A true sportsman, Denny was actively involved in many hunting competitions with his beloved Labradors, winning countless awards and trophies over the years. Big into Street Rod car runs, Denny and Penny did lots of traveling across the United States. Denny was particularly proud of his prize winning ‘37 Ford, which he built himself. Later in life, Denny enjoyed spending his time with family and friends.
Denny will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Penny; children, Mike (Sheila) Keating, Michelle Keating, Mark (Brenda) Keating; stepchildren, Chad (Gina) Robbins and Julie Robbins; grandchildren, Tom Keating, Meghan Keating, Amanda Keating, Ally Keating; step-grandchildren, Caden Robbins and Zach Robbins; sister-in-law, Mary Sue Keating; many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Keating; parents, Robert and Dorothy; and brother, Tom Keating.
