Dennis DeGrote

Dennis Duane DeGrote, age 83, of Brownsville, Texas, formerly of Clara City, Minnesota, died April 3, 2026 at his home with his devoted wife Lorraine by his side. Dennis was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2022 and managed treatments until February 2026 when he experienced kidney failure.

The youngest of four children, Dennis was born on April 23, 1942 to Harm and Lucille (Klaassen) DeGrote of rural Clara City. He was baptized and confirmed at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Clara City, Minnesota. He graduated from Clara City High School in 1960 and graduated in 1965 from St Cloud State College. He was united in marriage to Lorraine Epema on June 14, 1963 in Raymond, MN. Dennis and Lorraine were blessed with three children, Kimberly Joy, Paul, and Rick.

Dennis began his teaching career in 1965 at the public high school in Wabasso, MN. In 1980, he moved his family to Missouri and began teaching in Christian schools. In 1983, they moved back to Minnesota and Dennis started a Christian School in St Cloud. In 1987, they moved to Colorado where Dennis taught in a Christian school for twenty years. Dennis retired in 2007 after 42 years of teaching and helping to mold the lives of many students. He was an active member of the Jaycees and held numerous positions in the churches he attended through the years including facilitating many Bible Studies. After retirement, Dennis and Lorraine traveled extensively, including driving to Alaska, visiting all of the pro baseball stadiums and many other places of interest. After many years of traveling the United States, they settled in Winter Haven Resort in Brownsville, TX. Dennis enjoyed woodworking, reminiscing, ice cream, and driving around the Colorado mountains with Lorraine in his dune buggy.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Lorraine; children, Kimberly of Kennett Square, PA, Paul (Opal) of Everett, WA, and Rick (Margie) of Clara City, MN; four grandchildren, Justin (Julie), Olivia (Chris), Rowan, and Stephen; and four great grandchildren, Ryan, Lennon, Felix, and Brianna. Also surviving him are a sister, Alva Mae Nelson; and dear friends, John and Cathy Peebles.

Dennis was proceeded in death by his parents; twin grandsons, Daniel and Anthony DeGrote; brother, Dale DeGrote; sister, Idell Meints; niece, Kathy Wolf; brothers-in-law, Orville Meints and Robert Nelson.

A Celebration of Life will be held Friday, May 1, 2026 at 11:00 AM at Willmar Assembly of God Church. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. Interment will take place after the luncheon at Roseland Reformed Cemetery in Roseland, Minnesota.