Dennis Bachand, 91, of Oklee, MN died Wednesday, June 15, 2011 at First Care Nursing Home, Fosston, MN surrounded by his loving family.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, June 18, 2011 at St. Francis Xavier Church, Oklee, MN with Father Chuck Huck presiding and Father Dave Super Con-celebrating. Burial will be at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery, Oklee.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM with a 7:00 PM prayer service on Friday, June 17, 2011 at Johnson Funeral Service in Oklee, MN. Visitation will also be held for one hour prior to the funeral mass.

Dennis Joseph Bachand was born February 15, 1920 in Lambert Township, Oklee, MN, the son Antonio and Vitaline (Boucher) Bachand. He was baptized and confirmed in Oklee. He grew up and attended grade school and graduated from Plummer, MN High School in 1938.

April 26th, 1947, Dennis was united in marriage to Elmina Paquin at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, Oklee. He was taught the Morse code from a man in Brooks, MN and so was able to work for the Soo Line Railroad as a communication operator in Morse code. He worked for 32 years at Erskine, MN until his retirement in 1976. Dennis was a skilled carpenter designing and constructing his familys home and two other homes in Oklee. He resided his entire life in Oklee, MN.

Dennis was a very active member of St. Francis Xavier Church, Oklee, MN for many years caring for the cemetery and the daily opening and closing of church. He was a charter member of Our Lady of Lourdes Knights of Columbus, Thief River Falls, MN since 1958 and attained the rank of Grand Knight. He also belonged to the Order of Railroad Telegraphers Union and was a member of the Oklee City Council. His many activities caused him to be recognized as Outstanding Senior Citizen representing Red Lake County in 1990. As hobbies, Dennis enjoyed many things that today would be considered natural ; hunting, fishing, planting a garden and gathering wild berries " all practical hobbies that brought food to the table for a family with eight children! He also enjoyed gabbing, " a lot!

Survivors include 7 children, Eileen (Jack) Crystal, Fort Collins, CO, Howard (Susan) Bachand, East Grand Forks, MN, John (Carolyn) Bachand, McIntosh, MN, Jerome (Anita) Bachand, Brooks, MN, Marilyn Sundrud, Bemidji, MN, Duane Bachand, Hebron, ND and Brother Louie [Leonard] Bachand of Assumption Abbey, Richardton, ND; 12 grandchildren, Darren, Kristina, Patricia, Angela, Kathryn, Rachel, Ryan, Kayla, Jennifer, Cynthia, Tamera and Stacy; 6 great grandchildren; sister Laura Nadeau, Elk River, MN; and many nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Elmina on August 20, 1966; son, Rodney, September 2, 1957; parents; sisters, Emma Hince and MayBelle Proulx; brothers, Alfred and Onezime Bachand; brothers-in-law, Emil Nadeau, Joe Hince and Celestin Proulx; and sister-in-law, Leona Bachand.

Family condolences may be sent by visiting www.johnsonfuneralservice.com

ORGANIST: Barb Melby
CANTOR: Lori Melby
CASKETBEARERS: Duane Bachand, Brother Louie Bachand, Darren Crystal, Ryan Bachand, Tony Bachand, David Bachand