Denis H. Notch

Denis H. Notch, age 79 of St. Francis, died unexpectedly after complications from heart surgery on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 29 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis with Rev. Mitchell Bechtold officiating and Rev. Ken Thielman concelebrating. Interment was in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.
Denis Herman Notch was born August 15, 1937 in Elmdale Township, Morrison County, Minnesota to Herman and Veronica (Herzog) Notch. He graduated from Upsala High School and enlisted in the National Guard where he was honorably discharged after six years of service. On October 26, 1968 he was united in marriage to Irene Krupa at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis. Denis farmed north of St. Francis until 2015.
He was an active and devoted member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in St. Francis, Catholic United Financial, St. Francis Men’s Society, Knights of Columbus Father Pierz Council #3628 and the Queen of Peace General Assembly, Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed baking chocolate chip cookies, canning pickles, and making rosaries to give away to family and friends. He also enjoyed both vegetable and flower gardening. Denis was a kind, soft-spoken, gentlehearted man who loved his family, especially his nieces and nephews.
Survivors include his sisters, Donna Mae (Arnold) Scholz of St. Francis and Eileen (Don) Stiller of Albany; sister-in-law, Agnes Notch of Sartell; brother, Allen (Myrna) Notch of Freeport; and many nieces, nephews, relatives, and friends.
Denis was preceded in death by his wife, Irene Notch on September 13, 2015; parents; and brother, Roger Notch.
Serving as casket bearers were Glen Hoppe, Dan Hoppe, Jim Scholz, Steven Scholz, Joe Notch, Connie Stiller, Neil Stiller, and Eugene Scholz. Cross bearer was Sue Tembrock and scripture bearer was David Scholz. Honorary bearers were the St. Francis Men’s Society. Readers were Julie Nielsen and Jenifer Rindels and petitions were read by Erica Stiller. Gift bearers were Alyson Stiller, Katelyn Nielsen and Mary Koczur and Mass servers were Lauren LaForce and Bethany LaForce. Rosary bearer was Lauren Stiller.
Arrangements were made with Patton-Schad Funeral & Cremation Services of Melrose.