Dennis Rykken

Dennis N. Rykken, age 81 of Sauk Centre, passed away from complications of a stroke on Thursday, April 13, 2023, at the St. Cloud Hospital in St. Cloud, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 25 at First Lutheran Church in Sauk Centre with Rev. Rebecca Thomas officiating. Inurnment will be held at a later date.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday prior to the service at First Lutheran Church.

Dennis Neal Rykken was born May 21, 1941, in Willmar, Minnesota to Hartley and Stella (Peterson) Rykken. Dennis was united in marriage to Barbara Lausen on September 1, 1962, in Sacred Heart, Minnesota.  He graduated from Augsburg University with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, minor in Psychology and Economics.  He went on to earn his Master of Social Work from the University of Hawaii in 1968.  Dennis started his social work career in Mankato before moving to Sauk Centre in 1974 to work at the Minnesota Correctional Facility as a Program Director.  Dennis retired from MCF-Sauk Centre as the Assistant Superintendent when the facility closed.  Upon retiring from state service, he continued to work for SEH for 3 years as a business development municipal utilities consultant.  Dennis served as a board member for the Minnesota Municipal Utilities Commission for seven years, Sauk Centre Public Utilities Commission for 27 years-16 of those years as the Commission's chair, Sauk Centre City Council for many years and served as Mayor of Sauk Centre on three separate occasions.

Dennis loved traveling, camping and going on cruises with his wife Barb.  Anyone that knew "Dennie," knew that he loved visiting and going out for a meal with family. Telling stories and jokes came easy to him.

Survivors include his wife of 60 years, Barbara Rykken of Sauk Centre; children, Maile (Michael) Lambrecht of Sauk Rapids and Jay (Sarah) Rykken of Saint Joseph; grandchildren, Jacob, Jadrien, Brennen, Mia and Addison; sisters, Donna (Jim) Lessman and Diane Hite.