Mass of Christian Burial will be 10 a.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm. Burial will follow in the New Ulm Catholic Cemetery in New Ulm.

Visitation will be 9-10 a.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org.

Born January 11, 1930 to George and Anna Pechtel, Dennis attended Holy Trinity and New Ulm Public High School before beginning his sales career in 1948. He began by selling shoes in Mankato, commuting daily from New Ulm by hitchhiking. He also sold cemetery monuments and Hudson automobiles before attracting the attention of Don Gribble, who purchased the Ford dealership in 1952.

During his career at New Ulm Motors, Dennis formed long-term friendships with employees and customers alike. He was a frequent recipient of Ford’s Professional Sales Manager award in recognition of his “Professional Excellence and the attainment of High Standards in Sales Management.”

Dennis was a loyal employee at New Ulm Motors for 37 years, where he worked as a salesman from 1952-1972 and then as a sales manager and general manager from 1972-1990. The dealership was sold in 1990, prompting his retirement.

Dennis loved life in New Ulm. He was a longtime member of the New Ulm Country Club, Turner Hall, Catholic Order Foresters, Catholic Aid, New Ulm Rotary Club, and the Church of St. Mary. Dennis served on the New Ulm Catholic Diocese board, enjoyed playing cards with friends and taking long walks in New Ulm.

Dennis married Francis “Millie” Mildred Fahey on October 11, 1947 who passed on December 22, 1989. Dennis is survived by his daughters Bonnie Pechtel (Chaska), Marge Teicher (Brielle, N.J.) Pat Pechtel (Meadow Vista, CA) and son Dennis Jr and wife Tamara (Maple Grove, MN) six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Step-children, Rosemary (Bob) Bird of Kenai, Alaska; Peggy of St. Paul, Minnesota; Bonnie (Mike)Prinsen of Rushford, Minnesota; and Brian of Albia, Iowa; twelve step-grandchildren and twenty-one step-great-grandchildren Dennis met Elaine Flaig and were married on January 1, 1991, enjoying over 30 years of marriage before Elaine’s passing in October 2021.

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