Dennis Mathias Speltz

Dennis Mathias Speltz, aged 81, passed away peacefully at his home in Cochrane, WI, on May 2, 2024. He was born on May 20, 1942, to parents Gerald Felix Speltz and Helen Suzanne Arnoldy in Winona, MN. 

 Dennis graduated from Holy Trinity High School in Rollingstone, MN, and furthered his education by taking various courses with Massey Ferguson, Papec, Winona Vo-Tech for Tool and Die, and other farm equipment manufacturers. During his high school years, he worked as an auto and implement mechanic in his father’s garage and Implement business. In 1964,

 Dennis met the love of his life, Kathleen Kronebusch, at a Valentine’s Day dance. They married the following year. In 1967, he purchased Czech Oil Co., Y Cafe & Tavern, along with service stations in Wisconsin. Two of the businesses at the Czechville location would go on to become Denny's Country Store and Denny's Muffler Shop. While self-employed, Dennis served as a board member of the National Petroleum Institute and on the C-FC School Board. He actively volunteered with the Fountain City Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, and the local Food Shelf. After his years of self-employment, Dennis worked as the Building and Grounds Maintenance Supervisor for the C-FC School District and later at Peerless Chain Co., where he eventually retired. 

Never one to be idle, he also spent time as a bus driver for the C-FC School District. In his free time, he enjoyed overhauling and painting tractors, lawn mowers, and anything related to small engines. Throughout his life, Dennis enjoyed bowling, slow-pitch softball, camping, and travel (both in the USA and Canada). He was a tinkerer and loved gadgets, working on model airplanes and trains, and various DIY projects and inventions. His passion for old cars led him to restore a 1958 Ford Retractable Convertible and a 1966 Ford convertible, both of which he proudly drove in parades and entered car show competitions. Dennis’s family was a source of great joy to him. 

He is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years, Kathleen, and their loving children: Charles (Janie), Steven (Cindy), and Jennifer (Ben) Koch. Dennis was a proud grandfather to Cole, Caitlyn, Callie, and Cassandra Speltz. He leaves behind cherished memories with his sisters: Carol Meirick, Mary Beth (Gerald) Pieper, Deborah (Vincent) Pulles, and Carmen (Alan) Bertelsen. In addition, Dennis is survived by his brothers-in-law Germane Suchla, Lawrence (Shirley) Kronebusch, Wayne (Patricia) Zabel, Clifford (Deborah) Kronebusch, and Edward (Marcella) Schneider and sisters-in-law Elizabeth Speltz Magnuson, Janet Speltz, Lauri Kronebusch, and Jeanette Dynes. He had many nieces, nephews, and cousins who held a special place in his heart. 

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Gerald and Helen Speltz, his brothers Gerald Jr. and Alan, his sisters Rita (Jerome) Ebert and Catherine (Germane) Suchla, as well as in-laws, Alphonse and Margaret Kronebusch, brothers-in- law George Meirick, Gerald Ebert, Don Magnuson, and Alphonse (Lauri) Kronebusch Jr., and sister-in-law Victoria Kronebusch.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated on Monday, May 13, 2024 at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fountain City.  Burial rites, followed by full military honors, will follow at Fountain City Public Cemetery.  A memorial gathering will be held at the church from 9:00 AM until the hour of the Mass.  Talbot Family Funeral Homes-Scenic Rivers Cremation Center, Cochrane, WI assisted the family. www.talbotfuneralhomes.com