Dennis Meyer

Dennis R. Meyer, age 58 of Eleva, WI , passed away on Thursday, January 4th, 2018 after a 5 year struggle with kidney cancer. Dennis was born December 14, 1959, in Tracy, MN to Lorraine and Wayne Meyer. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Tracy High School in 1978. In 1979 he married Roberta Schultz; they later divorced. In 1999, he married Susan (Sandau) Cole.

Dennis received his degree in Agri-Business Management from Southwest State University, Marshall, MN (‘80) and completed Graduate School of Banking at UWM in Madison, WI (’95) and received his MBA (‘07) at the University of Phoenix.

From 1979 to 1982, Dennis farmed full-time and worked as an Ag lender for Farm Credit Services in Slayton, MN. He then accepted a loan officer position with Farm Credit Services in NC. Dennis returned to MN and worked in three community banks as Senior Vice-President, and was President/CEO at Fortress Bank in Houston and Winona, MN, later being promoted to special assets manager in New Berlin, WI. In 2008, he accepted the position of President/CEO and part owner of Independence State Bank in Independence, WI, and later retired in April 2017 due to health reasons. Dennis received a lifetime achievement award from the WI Bankers Association.

At 17, he entered basic training for the MN Army National Guard, later entering Officer Candidate School at Camp Ripley, MN, and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant. In 1982, he transferred to the US Army Reserve and completed Army Command and General Staff College.

Called up for the Bosnia Peacekeeping Mission in 1995, as a logistics planner he met in Italy to plan the rescue operations outside the U.S. As a logistics officer, he participated four times in joint training exercises in South Korea. His last assignment was in Fort Belvoir, VA, serving as operations officer in the Defense Threat Reduction Agency. Dennis received various medals and awards during his military career, the highest of which was the Legion of Merit award. He retired from the Army Reserve as Lt. Colonel for a combined service credit of 30 ½ years.

Dennis was a gifted problem-solver and enjoyed helping. He enjoyed riding his Harley, travel, movies, and car shows. His pride and joy was his ’54 Chevy street rod. He appreciated the company of a wide network of family and friends both personally and professionally. Dennis was a member of the Lions Club, VFW and American Legion.

He is survived by his wife, Susan; daughters Nicole and Jessica (Adrian); grandchildren Clay, Kya, Angel, and Cory; stepdaughters Katy and Miranda; stepgrandchildren: Alex and Max, mother-in-law Carla Korish; brother John (Sherry); sister LaVonne Youngs; and many other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 3pm on Sunday, January 7, 2018, at Stokes, Prock, and Mundt Funeral Chapel at 535 S Hillcrest Parkway, Altoona, with Scott Onofrio officiating. Visitation will be held from 11am until the time of service.

Stokes, Prock, and Mundt Funeral Chapel, Altoona is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be shared a www.stokesprockmundt.com