Dennis Marlin Quimby, 68 of Owatonna, died on October 21, 2021, after a courageous three-year battle with MDS (Myelodysplastic syndrome).
He was born to Maxine (Tvedt) and Rolland Quimby on January 6, 1953. Dennis was the youngest of three boys, growing up on the family farm in rural West Concord. He loved his brothers and often talked about the many shenanigans they pulled off as kids. As the son of a dairy farmer, he learned the value of hard work from a young age and carried that work ethic with him his entire life. He often reminisced about milking cows, helping in the fields, and driving tractor as a kid. The family farm was always a special place for him as it has been in his family for over 100 years.
Dennis graduated from West Concord High School in 1972. After graduation, he studied to be a machinist through the Tool and Die program at the Faribault Vocational and Technical Institute. Before moving to Owatonna, Dennis would find his love, Joyce Rademaker; they married on June 15th, 1974. Dennis began working for the Owatonna Tool Company as a machinist, he was employed with OTC/SPX for over 30 years. During his time at OTC, he forged numerous friendships and many great memories of which he enjoyed sharing. Unfortunately, foot issues led to his retirement as a machinist, but Dennis wasn’t one to sit at home. He started working part-time at the Brooks, a retirement community, where he did maintenance work. Fixing things and tinkering on projects always brought him enjoyment, making his job at the Brooks a great fit, until MDS forced him to retire again.
Dennis and Joyce built their home in Owatonna in 1978, they moved in when it was simply a basement and floor; they worked evenings and weekends to help finish the house that would later become their home for over 40 years. This was a great source of pride for Dennis, raising his family in the home they had built. Dennis also enjoyed wood working, gardening, as well as tinkering and repairing broken appliances and tools. Dennis kept a very nice yard and garden; he could often be found putting around the back yard on his Wheel Horse tractor doing some sort of project.
When he wasn’t working on some project, he enjoyed going to the races, chatting with friends and spending quality time with his family. Later in life, this consisted of spending time with his Grandkids, playing cards, games, fishing, and playing badminton in the backyard. Though his fight with MDS left him unable to do a lot of the things he loved to do, Jonah and Jacob could always put a smile on his face, as they loved the time spent with their grandpa.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 47 years Joyce of Owatonna, daughter Joy (Jesse) Mickels of Moorhead, son David of Duluth, grandsons Jonah and Jacob Mickels, brother Roger (Judy) Quimby of West Concord, sister-in-law’s, a brother-in-law, as well as numerous nephews, nieces, & cousins. Dennis was proceeded in death by his parents Maxine and Rolland, son Jacob, and brother Lowell. Blessed be Dennis' memory.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, October 28, at the Brick - Meger Funeral Home (1603 Austin Road Owatonna, MN.) A Knights of Columbus Rosary will be recited at 6:00 pm Thursday at the funeral home. Mass of Christian Burial is set for 11:00 am Friday, October 29, 2021, at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Owatonna. A visitation will start at 10:00 am prior to the funeral mass.
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