Dennis Kezar, 77, died on Thursday, July 6, 2006 at his home, near Thief River Falls, MN.


Funeral service will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, July 11, 2006 at St. John Lutheran Church, Thief River Falls, MN with Reverend Don Kirchner officiating. Burial will be 10 AM, Wednesday, July 12, 2006 in Greenwood Cemetery, Thief River Falls, MN.

Visitation will be 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 PM, Monday, July 10, 2006 at Johnson Funeral Service, Thief River Falls with a 7:00 PM prayer service Monday evening and at the church for one hour prior to service, Tuesday.

Dennis Leigh Kezar was born March 18, 1929 in Middle River, MN, to Samuel W. and Amanda (Hanson) Kezar. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church and was a member of St. Johns Lutheran Church. He attended school in Middle River and moved with his parents to Thief River Falls in 1944. Dennis went to work for the Soo Line Railroad in the roundhouse in 1945 at the age of 16 and in 1948 was sent to Mahnomen as acting roundhouse foreman. There he met Betty Lou Trnka and they were married October 14, 1950. Dennis entered the United States Navy in 1951 and served on two Destroyers (USS English DD696 and USS Sigourney DD643) out of Norfolk, VA. Betty and Mitch joined him in Virginia and Steve and Joe were born there. He was honorably discharged in November, 1955 with the rank of Machinist Mate 2nd Class. He and his family returned to Thief River Falls. Dennis resumed his duties with the Soo Line Railroad and worked as a locomotive engineer until his retirement in December, 1988.

Dennis and Betty purchased a farm near Thief River Falls where they raised six children, Mitch, Steven, Joel, Dan, Nanci and Kevin, milked cows, farmed and taught their children good work ethics. They were very proud of the scale live steam Dan D Railroad they built and operated for 15 years on their farm and enjoyed hosting various organizations, class reunions and giving rides to adults and children.

Dennis was hard working, handy with his hands and mechanically minded; he could fix just about anything. He enjoyed spending time with his family, at the log cabin he built near Middle River, visiting with friends, playing cribbage and was known for his teasing and sense of humor. He was a member of the American Legion of Middle River, VFW and Eagles of Thief River Falls.

Survivors include: his wife, Betty of almost 56 years; three sons, Mitch, Delano, MN, Joe (Marsha), Thief River Falls, MN, and Kevin (Connie), New Paris, IN, one daughter, Nanci Kezar and one daughter-in-law, Cindy (Dan Kezar) Wright; grandchildren, Sam (Crystal), Billy Joel and Andrew Kezar, Meghan (Michael) Finch, Steven and Wyatt Reed, Benjamin and Nicholas Kezar, Sarah and Adam Kezar; two step-grandsons, Matthew and Mark Larson and two step-greatgrandsons, Ethan Larson and Paul Larson; two brothers, Donald (Elverna), Minneapolis, MN and Teck, Middle River; one sister, Dorothy Anderson of Glenwood and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Steven in 1972 and Dan in 1978; and one brother, Myron (Curly).

ORGANIST: John Folland
SPECIAL MUSIC: Woodpicks -Greg Dally, Dustin Keller, Gene Lunsetter, Milo Ballingrud and Joel Kezar
CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: How Great Thou Art #519 and "Just As I Am" #359
CASKETBEARERS: Dennis grandchildren
HONORARY CASKETBEARERS: All of Dennis fellow Soo-Liners