Dennis Gannon

Dennis Gannon, 74, of Dell Rapids, passed away on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at his home surrounded by his family under hospice care. His funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, October 31, 2025 at Quest Church (formerly First Baptist Church, 512 E 5th St, Dell Rapids, SD). Interment will be in the Dell Rapids Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 30, 2025 with a time of sharing beginning at 7:00 p.m. at Kahler-Brende Funeral Home.

Dennis Lee Gannon was born to Liguori and Doris Gannon in Dell Rapids, SD on May 26th, 1951.  Denny grew up on the family farm west of Dell Rapids with his parents, five brothers and sister.   Growing up on the farm shaped his love for farming and animals.  While attending school at St. Mary’s he enjoyed participating in plays, showing animals for 4H, and tearing it up on the basketball court.   With his outstanding personality and his dazzling smile he won the hearts of the school and was crowned Homecoming King of the graduating class of 1969.

After attending South Dakota State University, he returned to the area and began pursuing farming, which was his passion. Denny rekindled his relationship with Mary Heesch, and later they were joined in marriage on May 6, 1978. Through this union they were blessed with three beautiful girls.

The family made their home west of Dell Rapids where they farmed crops, raised sheep and enjoyed spending time together outdoors, especially riding horses.   While farming, Denny worked at John Morrells where he dedicated 25 years of service.  He then went on to dedicate 25 years as a rural mail carrier for the city of Brandon, SD.  During this time the family moved into the town of Dell Rapids where Denny and Mary continued to live throughout retirement and Denny’s last days. 

Denny had a passion for the outdoors where he enjoyed hunting, fishing, and continued his love for farm life by working at Heartland Arabian Farm up until months before his passing.  In his spare time, he liked playing cards, shooting hoops, traveling and gardening. He took pleasure in recording life events by journalling over the past forty years and researching family history. Denny’s Irish heritage made his blood run green, and he received dual citizenship with Ireland and the United States of America. Denny served as a volunteer member of the Dell Rapids Cemetery Board, the South Dakota Genealogy Society, the National Rural Letter Carriers Association, and volunteered in many areas of his church community.

Denny peacefully stepped into eternity on Thursday October 23, 2025, in his home surrounded by his family. He will forever be remembered for his generosity, kindness, humor, wit and his devotion to his family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Mary, his daughters, Melissa (Chad) Fletcher, Denise Johnson, Jeremy Johnson, and Tara Gannon; seven grandchildren: Hannah (Alex) Odland, Kathryn Fletcher, Jasmine Johnson, Isabella Gannon, Joshua Fletcher, Aubrie Gannon and Elaina Johnson, and soon to be great granddaughter “Baby Odland”; two brothers John (Mary Jo) and Mark (Gail), numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and friends.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, and brothers; Jim, Bill, Virg and sister, Sharon Kay.

The service will be live-streamed at https://www.facebook.com/KahlerFuneralHome starting five minutes before the start of the service.

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