Denny Keating
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On April 12, 2022 @ 11:24 am In 2022,Obituaries | 24 Comments
Denny Keating, age 76, of Prior Lake, MN, passed away unexpectedly on April 10, 2022. A Time of Gathering to celebrate Denny’s life will be held at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation (4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake, MN) from 4:00 – 7:00 PM on Tuesday, April 19, 2022, and from 10:00 – 11:00 AM with closing prayers at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, April 20, 2022. Interment at St. Michael Catholic Cemetery, Prior Lake. Memorials preferred to American Heart Association, Pheasants Forever-4 Metro Area MN Chapter, or Believet.org/donate.
Friends and family can Live Stream services by visiting Denny Keating Closing Prayers
Dennis “Denny” Martin was born on August 29, 1945, in Minneapolis, MN, to Robert and Dorothy (Martin) Keating. The oldest of two kids, Denny grew up in Minneapolis, and graduated high school from DeLaSalle High School in 1963. Throughout the years, Denny developed numerous lifelong passions. He played football and baseball, was an avid hunter and fisherman, and got an early start in drag racing by taking his aunt’s car (without her permission) for joyrides with his brother Tom. Following high school, Denny began his career, working for a few different places before serving as a Deputy Sheriff in Hennepin and Scott County for five years. He then entered the Marine business, which he worked in for over 30 years before his retirement in 2020.
Shortly after high school, he was united in marriage to Patricia Gravelle on July 3, 1965. Together they were blessed with three children- Mike, Michelle, and Mark. They lived an amazing life together for many years before Patricia passed away from cancer in August of 1993. Denny and his next love and soulmate came together through their work at Minnetonka Boat Works. On May 15, 1999, Denny was blessed to welcome two more children into the family, and was united in marriage to Penny Robbins in Shakopee, MN. Denny was always involved in his children’s, and later, grandchildren’s lives. Throughout his life, Denny’s family was always the most important to him. He coached baseball and football, and rarely missed attending their various sporting events. Denny was especially known for his ability to put everyone before himself. When someone needed him, he was there for them in any way he could be. It seems that he never could finish any of his own projects because he was always lending a hand to others.
Denny lived his life to the fullest and was involved in numerous organizations and clubs over the years. Denny was involved in the Prior Lake Snowmobiling Association and Snow Trails, was a member of the Lake Country Retriever Club, Minnesota Horse and Hunt Club in Prior Lake, a lifetime member of the Minnesota Street Rod Association, safety inspector of the National Street Rod Association, and a member of the Over the Hill Gang in Lake Havasu, Arizona, where Denny and Penny wintered. A true sportsman, Denny was actively involved in many hunting competitions with his beloved Labradors, winning countless awards and trophies over the years. Big into Street Rod car runs, Denny and Penny did lots of traveling across the United States. Denny was particularly proud of his prize winning ‘37 Ford, which he built himself. Later in life, Denny enjoyed spending his time with family and friends.
Denny will be greatly missed by his loving wife, Penny; children, Mike (Sheila) Keating, Michelle Keating, Mark (Brenda) Keating; stepchildren, Chad (Gina) Robbins and Julie Robbins; grandchildren, Tom Keating, Meghan Keating, Amanda Keating, Ally Keating; step-grandchildren, Caden Robbins and Zach Robbins; sister-in-law, Mary Sue Keating; many nieces, nephews, family, and friends.
He is preceded in death by his first wife, Patricia Keating; parents, Robert and Dorothy; and brother, Tom Keating.
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Penny, please accept my deepest condolences. Denny was a Cool Dude, plain and simple. A face and personality the Car Culture will miss.
He will be missed by many just as he was loved by them. Love NEVER ends … remember that always
Penny, I’m so sorry to hear about Denny’s passing, he was a great man. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Penny and family, We will miss Denny and send our prayers, hugs and thoughts to you. He was amazing and will live in our hearts forever.
Denny welcomed me into the Lake Country Retriever Club over 13 years ago, and he quickly became a mentor and a very close friend. We hunted together every fall, shot sporting clays weekly, and were NATHA Tournament partners together for many years. I am so thankful that he and Penny came into our lives and that we could share those memories together. He will always have a special place in all of our hearts (and on my walls due to the many trophies that he and I won together). His loss is so tragic and heartbreaking, and he will be missed every day.
Love and prayers to Penny, his family, and all of the rest of us who will miss him!
~ our hearts are so saddened by the sudden loss of denny. we moved next door and were immediately embraced by him and dear family. we are going to miss his gentle generous ways, his smile and laugh, and simply his presence. he made a deep impact within the short time we knew him. we are here for you all anyway possible
Thinking of you, Penny. Praying for your peace and comfort during this difficult time of the loss of Denny’s presence. Cherishing all of his wonderful support and memories, of the many aspects he enjoyed in life, including the friendship we shared at The Little Market That Could farmers market roll-in. We will miss his mentoring in the ‘classics world’!!!
Godspeed to you and family/friends.
Rosemary
My phone contact reads ” Denny & Penny” and that is how I will always remember you both.
I first met Denny at the PL DQ about 10 years ago. There we were, 3 or 4 guys standing in the parking lot still talking “CARS”. Without a word Denny walked over to my ’29- A , and took a slow walk around it, stopped and studied the steering set up, then walked over and in a soft low voice he said ” I think the set screw on the lower U-JOINT is going to rub on the frame rail. I said “thanks but I think it’s ok”. That’s pure Denny, kindly and quietly helping whomever, wherever he could. We all will miss Denny, He is truly a Good Man.
PS, Six months later , I found out that Denny is an official MSRA /NSRA Safety inspector ! Thanks Denny.
I am very sorry for the loss of Denny. He was a very good man and will be missed by many. God Bless Denny. May he rest in peace. God Bless Denny’s family and give them strength and peace.
Larry L. Aus
I often spoke of Denny, always with respect and admiration. I will forever remember with great fondness the time we spent together in the shop behind the house. To this day I still consider him to be the best father in-law a guy could ever have. Thank you Denny.
Penny I just can’t believe that he is gone like every one is saying such a great guy so easy to get to know and easy to talk to, liked him the first time I met him. Penny all our prayers are with you and the family and hope to see you on Tuesday.
A super friend and great fellow street rodder! I will miss his sense of humor and fellowship!
I am so sorry to hear of your husband’s death, Penny. He sounded like a wonderful life partner. Hoping the many memories you created together offers you some comfort now. Hugs to you.
Penny and family,
Our heart aches for you and your family, prayers and support is all around you during this very difficult time.
Hugs,
Deanna & Kit McCormick
Denny was such a great guy. I loved shooting sporting clays with him at Horse & Hunt, and he was a real friend to our local Pheasants Forever chapter. He and Penny contributed generously to every fundraiser we ever had. Denny also volunteered numerous hours every year to mentor kids at the Shawn Garlinghouse Memorial Youth Shoot by guiding and putting out birds for the kids. You never saw Denny but that you got a smile and greeting. He was a wonderful friend.
Denny was a great friend coworker,and a boss at one time ,he will truly be missed .
Denny was a great friend and always ready to help always had a smile on his face we were neighbors for a long time enjoyed knowing Pat and Denny and their children Their black lab Gambler was a frequent visitor to the house once was locked in our shop. He will be missed our thoughts are with y’all Pat And Jim Potter
Denny: mentor, friend, boss, coworker, hard working, loving father and husband ❤️ Gentle, strong, great sense of humor! Love of the marine industry his many hobbies, passionate about life! So many wonderful memories! We are Blessed to have been part of your journey ❤️ Love and prayers to Penny and your family.
Dear Penny and family. My deepest regrets and sympathy. Denny and I worked together for 35 plus years in the Marine Industry, several years of which we were partners. He was always hard charging and had a “get’r done” attitude. His level business head was appreciated by anyone who worked with, or for him. There are literally thousands of his customers who would remember him fondly. I just looked at photo taken in July of 1982 at a Wellcraft owners picnic with Denny talking to the crowd. I have a picture in my mind of Denny looking down from the clouds right now, standing in a garage full of hot rods, boats, and ton’s of tools and welders. We all lost a one of kind guy.
Dear Penny Family , I’m so saddened by the Loss of Denny. Please accept my DEEPEST CONDOLENCES !! I visited with Denny on Saturday and Sunday at the HHC as he was transporting hunters, dogs and judges to keep runs moving smoothly at the last tournament . He was a treat to converse with no matter what the event . Still can’t believe this has happened . Again my DEEPEST Sympathy !! Dave
My gosh I wished I would have known that this happened. I would have came to the services as I always counted Denny as a good friend. I talked to him when we got back from Florida. I am so very sorry to hear of this and feel so bad for all of you he was one of those truly nice guys.
As an old class mate of Denny’s at DE class of 1963, I offer my condolences to the family. Deacon Jim Pufahl
Our heart felt thoughts and prayers are with Penny and family ; we’ve been out of town & just learned of Denny’s sudden passing . Known Denny for manny years at the Horse and Hunt Club . We were among the “Senior” competitors in NATHA tournaments . Denny always stopped to visit when I was in “ Challenge” running Car-Lee . Chatted about our grandsons , our dogs , tournaments & our aches & pains . He was the consummate gentlemen & friend . I will miss him . He was the best .
God Bless Penny & Family –
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So shocked and saddened by Denny’s sudden death. A great, gentle giant who will be missed by all (including me, his little cousin always tugging at his sleeve to see one of his cool cars).