Dennis “Willard” Harold Thisius of Clarks Grove, passed away peacefully at home on April 9, 2025, surrounded by family and close friends after a well fought battle with cancer. He was 62 years of age. A visitation will be held on Friday, April 25, 2025 from 4:00-7:00 pm at Nasinec Funeral Home in Wells, MN. Mass will be celebrated Saturday, April 26, 2025 at 11:00 am at St. Casimir Catholic Church in Wells, with visitation one hour before the funeral from 10:00- 11:00 am at the church. As Willard would say, “Come as you are, this ain’t no fashion show.”  In lieu of flowers, any donations will go towards planting trees at the Thisius farm, continuing the legacy in Dennis’ memory.

Dennis was born to Harold and LaVonne (Herman) Thisius on March 2, 1963 in Wells, MN. He grew up on the family farm, the fifth of six children. His tinkering and creative mind began at an early age, tearing apart, fixing, and wrenching anything he could get his hands on, making it difficult for him to sit still as a student at St. Casimir Catholic School. As a teenager, Dennis started welding at Herman Manufacturing working for his uncle as well as tending to the family farm daily. After graduating from Wells-Easton High School in 1981, he found a career in diesel mechanics and there were few things he couldn’t fix, revive, and maintain. He worked multiple jobs providing for his family, including Alden Ford Tractor, and Ford-New Holland Britt, and Winnebago Industries in Iowa. In 1987, Dennis was offered a position at Clarks Grove Hardware and Implement and shortly after, became head of city maintenance in Clarks Grove for 17 years. He also served on the Clarks Grove Fire Department for 20 years, where he was Assistant Chief for six years. Dennis worked for Tolzmann Construction and Thermo King before becoming equipment manager and general maintenance at Wedgewood Cove Golf Club for the last 16 years. He officially retired on April 1, 2025 so he could focus on ‘full time farming’ the Thisius farm, where he and his brother David have farmed together for 21 years. His heart never left the farm, it was always his happy place.

In January 1984, Dennis was united in marriage to Anita Yokiel at St. Casimir Catholic Church and they raised three children: Steph, Stacie and Steven. Dennis and Anita were high school sweethearts and were together 45 years. They raised their family in Clarks Grove, where he enjoyed snowmobiling, hunting, motorcycles and going to the farm almost every day. He tolerated family vacations but never wanted to leave the farm for too long. He looked forward to making the annual trek to Sturgis and any other motorcycle adventure, trips west for snowmobiling and an annual vacation in California. Dennis had a strong work ethic and would find a way to weave a task into almost anything. He was the first to lend a helping hand, expecting little in return and the last to leave, even if he was sleeping on a shop chair. The last two years and eight months had been difficult as he battled peritoneal mesothelioma because he was not able to do what he wanted. He’s now free to do things on his time, when he wants, where he wants, and how he wants.

Left to honor Dennis’ memory is his wife Anita; his two daughters Steph Thisius of Bakersfield, CA and Stacie (Andy) Rolands of Wells, MN; son Steven (Sophia) Thisius of Clarks Grove, MN; grandchildren Henry and Sadie Sanders and Rhett Thisius; grandpets Otis, Tater, Diesel, Keystone, Weezer, Coy, Minnow, Ranch and 11 farm cats; mother LaVonne Thisius; siblings Deb (Randy) Tolzmann, David (Tammie) Thisius, Denise (Jeff) Besser, DeAnne (Doug) Walters and Donna (Brian) Meyerink; nieces and nephews Sarah (Marc) Hamann, Jake (Sarah) Tolzmann, Jenny Andring, Scott (LeAnn) Thisius, Kim (Mitch) Wolf, Nick (Kathy) Besser, Chad (Kelly) Besser, Megan (Kyle) Krecklow, Matt (Rachel) Walters, Angie Walters, Briana (Kevin) Fischer, Dayne Meyerink; great nieces and nephews Emma Hamann; Jayden Barnick; Hayden, Leigha and Jaylee Tolzmann; Carter and Taylin Andring; Christopher, Allie and Lucas Thisius; Kaylee, Kyle and Kassidy Wolf; Jack, Harold and Nora Besser; Cole and Kade Besser; Bailey and Carter Krecklow; Kaylin and Bella Walters; mother-in-law Leona Yokiel; in-laws Gary Yokiel, Sandy Yokiel, Mark (Jessica) Yokiel, Kathy (Jack) Frost; nieces and nephews Brooklyn, Lucas and Addison Yokiel; Kaitlyn, TJ and Jenna Frost; and his aunts, uncles and cousins of the Herman, Johnson, Wilder and Brandt families.

Dennis was preceded in death by his father Harold Thisius, paternal grandparents Leonard and Myrtle Thisius, maternal grandparents Jack and Pauline Herman, father-in-law George Yokiel, his infamous rooster Fred, grandpets Drake and Mya, and the mice that tormented him this winter all around the farm.

The Thisius family would like to send our deepest gratitude to the staff at Albert Lea Cancer Center, Mayo Clinic Health System of Albert Lea and Austin, Mayo Clinic Health System Mankato Progressive Care Unit, Mayo Clinic Health System Hospice, Between the Bridges Healing Center and the many friends, family and the Herd that helped with Dennis’ care throughout the last few years. Thank you to all who followed Dad’s journey on CaringBridge, providing positive energy and inspiration along the way.

Dad, you couldn’t conquer the storm, but you sure gave ‘er hell. Tatonka.