Dennis Norman Hollerud, 64, of Austin, Minn., died Monday, April 7, 2014. He was born on May 5, 1949, in Austin, to Norman and Marjorie (Weber) Hollerud. He graduated from Austin High School in June of 1967, and then attended Luther College in Decorah, Iowa, for several years. In 1971, he went to work for Hormel Foods Corporation until he experienced mental health challenges. He then worked at Cedar Valley Rehab Center. Denny married Karen Vesterso on Oct. 2, 1980. He lived in Austin at Betty Dugan’s house in 2007, and then at Reflections beginning in March of 2009. In January of 2014, he moved to Rochester to receive dialysis and to be close to his fiancée, Cathy Burrichter. Cathy is the daughter of Donald and Mary Burrichter. Despite dealing with many health issues, Denny maintained his positive attitude. He died peacefully at Golden Living Center East in Rochester. Denny’s kind and gentle nature was an inspiration to many and he will be greatly missed.

Survivors include his fiancée, Cathy Burrichter of Rochester, his former wife Karen Hollerud of Austin; his mother Marjorie Halverson, also of Austin; his sisters Sandy Chaby (Ron Fields) of Lancaster, Penn.; Diana (Joseph) Hollerud Brown of Raleigh, N.C.; Lana Hollerud (Terry Zabel) of Austin; Cindy Seavey (Ken Pallas) of Burnsville, Minn.; his brother John (Deanna) Hollerud of Coon Rapids, Minn.; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his father Norman Hollerud, his step-father Ron Halverson, nephews Zachary Chaby and Beau Zabel.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, May 2, 2014, at St. Olaf Lutheran Church in Austin with Pastor William Odermann officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 1, at Worlein Funeral Home in Austin. Interment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Austin, at a later date. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.worlein.com.