Dennis W. Happel

Born to George and Agnes Stromberg Happel on September 14, 1947, Dennis William Happel was a force to be reckoned with.

He grew up outside of Luce, Minnesota where he walked uphill both ways in the snow to country school. He was a hard-working farm kid alongside his younger brother Dan and beloved dog Shep. During his tenure at Perham High School, he became a wrestler, grew to 6’4, and began waterskiing. He also captured the heart of the love of his life, Joan Elizabeth Schoeneberger. They were married nearly 58 years.

Dennis joined the Phi Mu Delta fraternity and graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1969 with a bachelor of arts in philosophy. Being a life-long learner, Dennis enjoyed debating everything. Whether pushing to expand Perham’s vitality or sharing the best way to split an oak log, you didn’t stand a chance of winning an argument against him.

In 1970 Dennis and his best friend Eric Jorgenson volunteered to serve in the US Army. After 12 months deployed to Vietnam as an artillery specialist he returned to attend law school at William Mitchell College of Law in St. Paul, Minnesota. He graduated magna cum laude.

Only the third city attorney in the history of Perham, Dennis was honored to return to his hometown and practice law for over 45 years.

For seven decades, Dennis was involved in all-things Perham. In addition to building his dream house on Little MacDonald Lake while raising 3 kids, he also grew a successful law practice. Dennis was proud to serve as Perham’s City Attorney, the Hospital Attorney, and the New York Mills City Attorney - all roles meaning so much to him throughout the years. He loved Rotary, mentoring new business leaders, teaching mock trial and stealing french fries at Lakes Cafe.

A fundraiser par excellence, Dennis pushed for the Perham Area Community Center (PACC), the Perham Hospital, school bond issues, talent shows, and athletic programs. He was a passionate person with a wry and complex sense of humor that either made people gladly join in or quickly cross to the other side of the street.

Dennis loved pursuing his childhood woods on a snowmobile, 4-wheeler or “Candy Cowboy,” as long as it had room to carry his chainsaw. He taught his kids, grandkids and neighbors to play competitive volleyball on his sand court by the lake. The rules were always up for debate but since he paid the taxes, his say was final.

He loved spending time in his beloved sunroom, drinking coffee with Joan, and coddling his favorite fuzzy buddies Bobbers and Pepper. From Little Mac headquarters he continued to grow Perham, tease his grandchildren, learn to play the harmonica and sneak in a quick waterski.

Although taken abruptly on November 26th from lymphoma complications, Dennis remained strong, feisty and lovable to all of those who knew him. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Agnes (Stromberg) and George Happel, and his brother Daryl. He is survived by his brother Daniel (and Kathie) Happel, wife Joan (Schoeneberger) Happel, and his 3 children Chris (and Vicki) Happel, Sarah Happel (and Jarkko Turunen), Andy (and Tiffany) Happel. He is also survived by his 6 grandchildren, Theodore Happel, Mika Turunen, Matias Turunen, Timothy Turunen, Mia Haugen and George Happel.

Celebrate the Legacy of Dennis:
Sunday, December 21, 1:00-4:00 pm
Perham’s Center for the Arts, Perham, MN

1:00-2:00 pm - Socializing
2:00-2:30 pm - Musical tribute
2:30-3:45 pm - Share a story
3:45-4:00 pm - Final toast

All donations will be disbursed to support the following community causes:

• Perham Center for the Arts
• Rotary Club of Perham
• The History Museum of East Otter Tail County
• The Bridge Community Pantry