The death of Dennis L. Maschka last Sunday prompted a massive outpouring of grief so popular and respected was the man.

“What a fine man,” said former Austin mayor Bonnie Rietz, who knew Maschka well.

“It seemed like he was always around in the community,” she said.

When the Tim and Bonnie Rietz family moved to Austin in 1979, Maschka worked at the Austin Park, Recreation and Forestry Department. He became director in 1992, when he and Rietz frequently exchanged banter before Austin City Council meetings.

Rietz said Maschka wanted Austin’s parks “used.”

“He really wanted everyone to use the parks and he worked so hard on so many projects, the basketball courts, the soccer fields and all the others, to make our park system the best for all,” she said.

Those kind of reflections as well as the outpouring of grief along with a celebration of Maschka’s life will culminate with his funeral Friday and a special tree-planting.

Maschka will be remembered as the executive director of the Austin Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department at the time of his death from complications following surgery.

His work earned him a reputation throughout Minnesota in the industry he represented and repeat awards for the city as a “Tree City USA” honoree.

But awards and accolades came often.

He was also involved in myriad activities throughout the community.

One of his favorite endeavors was Spruce Up Austin, Inc., the community betterment organization.

SUA, Inc. worked in partnership with the Austin PRF to plant trees on public grounds.

“I really admired Denny,” said Mike Ruzek, a long-time SUA, Inc. board member and past-president. “In spite of the many, many demands on his time Denny still found the time to get involved in so many different ways to make Austin a better place.”

“Denny or the ‘Big Guy’ as I like to call him was not just a member of Spruce Up Austin — he was a true volunteer,” Ruzek said. “I remember when he brought his grandson with him when we planted trees and I would see them alone by themselves planting a tree.”

At the time of his death, Maschka was the SUA, Inc.’s president and the moving force with Ruzek and Gretchen Ramlo behind a new SUA, Inc. project: Geo. A. Hormel Plaza, a park dedicated to the memory of George A. and Jay C. Hormel, the father and son pair, who founded then grew what is today Hormel Foods Corporation.

A 3-inch diameter, 18-foot-tall sugar maple tree will be planted by SUA, Inc. in memory of Maschka at 7 p.m. Friday at Geo. A. Hormel Plaza, a project he was spearheading before his illness and death.

Well-wishers are invited to gather early Friday evening at the west end of Austin Rotary Centennial Park at the intersection of Eighth Avenue Southeast and South Main Street, according to Melanie Faust, vice president of the SUA, Inc. board of directors.

An announcement of the tree planting to celebrate Maschka’s life will be made at his funeral Friday.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at Riverside Arena with the Revs. Tom McDonough, Paul Nelson, Dale Tupper and Joe Fogal officiating.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday at St. Augustine Catholic Church and one hour before the service Friday at Riverside Arena.

Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery with military rites by American Legion Post No. 91.