Dennis E. Turnquist

Dennis E. Turnquist, 71, of La Crescent, died on Thursday, December 25, 2014 at the Cottagewood Senior Community in Rochester, MN after a 3 1/2 year battle with dementia. He was born on August 5, 1943 in Benson, MN to Dale and Dorothy (Anderson) Turnquist. Dennis grew up in Murdock, MN and graduated from Murdock High School in 1961. He served with the United States Air Force from September of 1961 until February of 1966. Dennis was a Patriot through and through which was evident with his extensive collection of caps and t-shirts which he wore often and proudly. Dennis married Linda Lalim on October 1, 1964. He graduated from St. Cloud State University in 1970 and they moved to La Crescent. Dennis taught Social Studies at Logan High School for 29 years, retiring in 1999. He also served as an assistant football coach and tennis coach at Logan. Dennis enjoyed boating, pheasant hunting, and fishing trips to Canada. He was a member of the La Crescent American Legion Post 595, the La Crescent VFW, La Crescent Lion’s Club, and Pheasants Forever.
He is survived by Linda, his wife of 50 years, daughter Jan and her husband Tim Luft of Holmen, WI and their son Alex of Eau Claire, WI, and daughter Julie and her husband Rick Ellinghysen and their children Connor and Ava of Winona, MN, brothers, Jim Turnquist of New London, MN and Ron Prekker of Duluth, MN, and sister Doreen Haglund of Pennock, MN. He is also survived by his extended family, special friends, hunting buddies, and Logan family. He was preceded in death by his parents and his step-father, Louis Prekker.
A memorial gathering will be held on Tuesday, December 30, 2014 from 1:00 – 3:00 PM at the Schumacher-Kish Funeral & Cremation Services 111 S. Oak St, La Crescent. Military honors will be performed at 3:00 PM, followed by a luncheon at the American Legion Clubroom, 509 North Chestnut Street. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred. IT'S A GREAT DAY TO BE A RANGER!! Online guestbook is available at www.schumacher-kish.com.