Denis 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 will be 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 will be in the parish cemetery with military honors by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 4 to 9 p.m. Friday and from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church in St. Francis. Parish prayers will be held at 5 p.m. followed by the Knights of Columbus, Catholic United Financial, St. Francis Men's Society at 6 p.m. and the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard at 7 p.m. Friday evening at the church.

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 will be Glen Hoppe, Dan Hoppe, Jim Scholz, Steven Scholz, Joe Notch, Connie Stiller, Neil Stiller, and Eugene Scholz. Cross bearer will be Sue Tembrock and scripture bearer will be David Scholz. Honorary bearers will be the St. Francis Men's Society. Readers will be Julie Nielsen and Jenifer Rindels and petitions will be read by Erica Stiller. Gift bearers will be Alyson Stiller, Katelyn Nielsen, and Mary Koczur and Mass servers will be Lauren LaForce and Bethany LaForce. Rosary bearer will be Lauren Stiller.