Dennis Lee Geraets

September 30, 1954 - December 12, 2014

Visitation: Visitation will be Friday from 2-8 p.m., family present 6-8 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

Service: Memorial services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Canton.

     Dennis Lee Geraets, age 60, passed away Friday, December 12, 2014 at Avera McKennan Hospital.  Memorial services will begin at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 20 at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church in Canton.  Visitation will be Friday from 2-8 p.m., family present 6-8 p.m., at Anderson Funeral Home in Canton.

          Dennis was born on September 30, 1954 in Sioux Falls, SD to Leonard & Mary (Harris) Geraets.  His mother died at a young age and he was raised by his father and step-mother, Jeanine (Greenough) Geraets.  Danny and Phyllis Harris also had a major role in his upbringing.  He grew up in the rural Harrisburg/Canton area, graduating from Harrisburg High School in 1972.   He served in the Army for four years before returning to the Canton area.  He married Cheryl Dykstra on August 8, 1992 in Monroe, SD.  The couple had two children, Alex and Mary.

          Dennis had previously worked at McCord’s, Tri-State Ready Mix, Central Plains, and drove truck.  He spent the last 23 years in the Maintenance Department at Avera McKennan Hospital.  He had been involved in 4-H, MEPS, and the Worthing Fire Department.  He enjoyed farming, raising livestock, tinkering and family.  He will be remembered for always lending a hand to anyone in need.

Dennis is survived by his step-mother, Jeanine Geraets, Canton; son, Alex Geraets, Sioux Falls; daughter, Mary Geraets, Vermillion; brothers, Doug (Deana) Geraets,  Iowa City, IA, Jim (Vicki) Geraets, Janesville, WI, and Andy ( Kyle) Farmer, Des Moines, IA; sisters, Alice (Gene) Ahlquist, San Jose, CA, Pat (Stuart) Harms, Luverne, MN, and Cheryl (Kirk) Rikansrud, Canton, SD; family friends, Becca (Jess) Gilland and their children Zander, Gavin and Mackenzie; along with numerous other extended relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by his parents and infant brother, Paul John.


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9 messages have been left

  1. Jennifer and Don Huwe on December 13, 2014 said:

    Family of Dennis,
    Our heartfelt condolences … We are so saddened for your loss of Dennis! May God wrap his arms around each of you and give you peace, strength, and comfort in the days ahead. Our prayers are with you and our deepest sympathy.

  2. Paula Sanderson Jacobsen on December 14, 2014 said:

    Cheryl and family,

    I was so saddened to hear of Dennis’ passing. I worked at Avera McKennan for many years and Dennis would always make a point to stop and chat. He always ask how I was doing, always so kind and genuine. We had many conversations in passing in the hallways of McKennan. He will be missed, but always remembered.

    My deepest sympathies,
    Paula Jacobsen

  3. Rod Rhead on December 14, 2014 said:

    So sorry to hear of the passing of Dennis. Had a good conversation with him last summer. My thoughts and prayers goes out to his family.

  4. Shelly Miller on December 14, 2014 said:

    Dennis was a great guy, always willing to help. I know
    he was very proud of his children and talked of you all
    often. He will be missed and never forgotten.
    Shelly Miller

  5. Danica Hanson on December 15, 2014 said:

    Denny was always a bright and cheerful guy! I loved it when he was sent over to our office to help fix things! Always the jokester who knew how to make everyone laugh! He will be missed by his Avera McKennan Family!

  6. Carla Dunlap on December 15, 2014 said:

    Many of us were so sad to here of Denny passing away. He was one of the nicest men I had the pleasure of knowing through work. He always had a smile on his face and was so very friendly to anyone he came into contact with him. He was one of my favorite Avera McKennan maintenance men ever! He will be missed by many. Thoughts and prayers to his friends and family.

  7. Deb Markle Hoogendoorn on December 16, 2014 said:

    Sympathy and prayers to all who loved Dennis. He was a former classmate at CHS and a dear friend to everyone. May God wrap his loving arms around you and give you peace. Gone but never forgotten.

  8. Jim Norman on December 16, 2014 said:

    Denny, you will be truly missed. You always had a warm greeting & smile, and always took the time to say hi. RIP Sir.
    Jim Norman
    Avera IT Biomedical Engineering

  9. Kathy Hoekstra on December 17, 2014 said:

    To Dennis’ family,
    I’m so sorry for your loss. My prayers go out to you all. Dennis was a big part of Brad and my lives when we were young. In high school we would go out to the Harris farm and help with the milking so we all could go to “town”. Rochelle, Mike, and Renae remembered the ” huge” bonfire that we all had out at Dennis’s farm and how many times we spent with Dennis on the farm, which he was so proud of! So many good memories! My heart is sad for the loss but my hope is in the fact that he no longer is in pain. I’m sorry I cannot be with you during the funeral, but know you all and Dennis will be in my thoughts and prayers.