Dennis Hollan, 81, of Sioux Falls, died Sunday, January 7, 2024, at his home under hospice care. A Celebration of Life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, May 4, 2024, at St. John's Lutheran Church in Hosmer.
Dennis D. Hollan was born in Kulm, ND, to Lee Robert and Alice (Fregein) Hollan on November 25, 1942. He attended rural schools and then later attended Kulm Public School. Upon graduation from Kulm High School, he attended Northern State College in Aberdeen, SD where he met his love and lifelong partner, Patricia (Patty) Naomi Hieb. Dennis married Patty, daughter of Arnold and Naomi Hieb and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Rudolph Hieb, on June 7, 1964, and they began their life together residing in Aberdeen. Dennis began his student teaching career teaching vocal and instrumental music in Pierpont and Columbia. Then, in 1966 Dennis earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education with a Major in Music from Northern. At that time Dennis and Patty moved to Hosmer, South Dakota to begin their professional teaching careers with Dennis teaching vocal and instrumental music at Hosmer High School and Patty beginning her teaching career as an elementary school teacher (sixth grade).
In December of 1969, Dennis and Patricia were blessed with a baby boy, Robert John. In 1971, Dennis gave up teaching to join Farmers State Bank. In 1972, he was named Cashier and in 1975 was promoted to Vice President and Cashier. Dennis later achieved the additional title of Senior Ag Loan Officer. Dennis served on the Board of Governors of the American Institute of Banking as well as Secretary of the South Dakota Northeastern Chapter of the Bank Administration Institute. During the entire time of his employment with the bank, Dennis continued his passion for farming by assisting his parents and brother (Curt) in their farming operation in North Dakota southwest of Kulm as well as building a South Dakota farming operation northeast of Hosmer. Dennis retired from banking in 2006 and never really retired from farming, whether that be physically or mentally.
During his life in Hosmer, Dennis was passionately and intimately involved in "everything Hosmer." This included building his lifelong home there where he planted hundreds of evergreens and other trees continually developing his 10-acre retreat along with maintaining his well-stocked shops which basically served as the hardware store of the region where anyone could stop by to obtain parts in a pinch. He served as President of the Hosmer Civic Club, Assistant Fire Chief and Treasurer of the Hosmer Volunteer Fire Department for 40 plus years, President of Hosmer Development Housing, Inc, which is a subsidized 4-plex apartment building benefitting the community and served as its Manager and Bookkeeper. He was a member of St John's Lutheran Church where he participated in the Adult Choir as well as served on the Church Council. He was instrumental in the development of the Hosmer Senior Citizens Center. Dennis was the driving force behind the Hosmer Farm and Home Show for years and was instrumental in helping develop the construction of the Hosmer Tennis Courts. A highlight of Dennis's contribution to his community was his leading role as "Father Time" in the 1987 Hosmer Centennial Pageant, "Reflections", which was an historical depiction of the origins and growth of Hosmer. He enjoyed all the rehearsals and performances alongside his son, who also had a supporting role in the production.
Dennis also served as President of Dakota Café, Inc., which brought a new building to Hosmer's main street as the home of this new restaurant, and, helped with the project of putting up street signs throughout the City of Hosmer. After the town's Cenex Station closed in 2005, and out of strong civic devotion, he and his business partner provided continued services to the town under the name of "DC Station" and ran it with managers and various help for seven years.
In 2021, Dennis made one of the most difficult decisions of his life. Through much coordination, planning, and several auction sales, he ultimately managed to part with his lifelong home and retreat in Hosmer and move with Patty to Sioux Falls where his son and family reside. Dennis was able to spend more quality time with family attending many of his grandchildren's activities and often served as the Chauffeur De Jure.
Dennis ultimately succumbed to his illness of ALS passing peacefully in his home with his family at his side as he had desired. The Dennis Hollan Family express their deepest and sincerest thanks and appreciation to the ALS Association, the Avera Health staff and Avera Hospice staff for their amazing assistance and support this past year.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Patty; his son Rob and daughter-in-law Sarah DuBois; and five grandchildren, Quinton, Braxton, Tenley, Hughston and Wynston; one brother Curt Hollan and his wife Amy; one uncle, Ted Hollan and his wife, Becky; and one aunt, Marcia Jo Hollan.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Lee (Bobbie) and Alice Hollan; grandparents, Robert Joseph and Sophia Hollan, and John and Hermina Fregein.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the ALS Association (www.als.org) or the Avera Hospice Program (www.averafoundation.org) in memory of Dennis Hollan.
Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel, Mitchell.
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