Dennis R. Van Guilder, 75, of Makinen passed away July 26, 2020, at home, with his family at his side.

He was born Nov. 8, 1944, in Carlton, the son of Harry and Colleen (Berge) Van Guilder.

Dennis graduated from Wrenshall High School in 1962. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in December of 1965 and served for 13 months in Korea, being honorably discharged in December of 1971.

Dennis started working for U.S. Steel in 1968 and retired after 35 years in 2003. He was united in marriage to Gayle Koecher on Feb. 13, 1971, in Moose Lake. Dennis served on the Makinen Volunteer Fire Department for 13 years, was an active member of Riverside Chapel in Forbes, and was a member of the Mountain Iron American Legion Post 220 and Disabled American Veterans.

He loved fishing and woodworking and made many wooden planters. Dennis fought a two-year battle with cancer, and he donated his body to the University of Minnesota bequest program.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; an infant daughter, Heather; brothers Raymond, Wesley and David Van Guilder; sister Linda Erickson; father- and mother-in-law, Everette and Jean Koecher; brothers-in-law Virgil Varnes and Jeff Koecher; sister-in-law Gwen Van Guilder; and special nephews Lyle Koecher and Bryce Crews.

He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Gayle; son, Ray (Michelle) Van Guilder; daughter Heidi (Shane) Johnson; granddaughter, his pride and joy, Heather Van Guilder; brothers Tom (Ruby), Rodney, Donny (Gail) and Chuck Van Guilder; sisters Anna Mae Varnes, Lucy Van Guilder, and Tammy (Ray) Woodall; brothers-in-law Teddy Erickson, Steve Koecher, and Craig (Kim) Koecher; sisters-in-law Shirley Van Guilder and Sheila (Don) Crews; three step-grandchildren, Trevor (Jen), TJ, and Megan; three step-great-grandchildren, Mason, Joe, and Grace; godsons, Chris Erickson and Derrick Koecher; goddaughter, Mara Crews; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation: 5-7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 7 at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Visitation will continue Saturday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. until the 11 a.m. memorial at the Riverside Chapel in Forbes on Highway 7.

Pine Knot News July 31, 2020