Dennis A. Willaert

Dennis A. Willaert, age 64, passed away on April 7, 2026, at Carriage House in Le Center.

Visitation will be held at ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST CATHOLIC CHURCH, 632 S Broad St, Mankato, from 10 a.m. until 12 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, with a private burial service to follow.

Dennis was born on November 15, 1961, in Mankato to Andrew and Frances (McCarthy) Willaert. He graduated from Le Sueur High School in 1980, then St. John’s University in 1985. Dennis exceled as an athlete and played several sports growing up, with his main focus on football and baseball as a Le Sueur Giant. He was an avid sports fan his whole life and was a dedicated fan of the Johnnies, Vikings, and Twins. He grew up working with his dad, uncles, siblings and cousins on the Willaert Brothers Farms near Mankato and Le Sueur, and this led him to be a lifelong collector of miniature John Deere equipment.

He worked in restaurant food service management for the majority of his adult life, moving from Minnesota to Indiana for new opportunities during his career. He spent many years there but true to his roots, he remained a dedicated Minnesota sports fan during that time.

Dennis is survived by his children; Meghan (Phil) Kapfhammer of Colorado, Daniel (Mary) Willaert of Indiana; and Jack (Lacy) Willaert of Indiana; eight grandchildren; Carsen, Daniel Jr., Ila, Patrick, William, Jude and unborn twins; his mother, Frances; siblings, Andrew of Mankato, Carol (Dan) Fischenich of Victoria, Mark of Mankato, Leah Krenz of Carver; and many nieces, nephews and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Andrew Sr.; brother, William; and brother-in-law, Pat Krenz.