Dennis Petz

Makoti

Dennis Ronald Petz, 89, Makoti, passed away peacefully on Jan. 9, at home under the care of hospice, surrounded by family and friends.

Born to Jacob and Alice (Mikkelson) Petz on July 21, 1935, near Berthold, he was raised on the family farm four miles north of Roseglen.

He attended a country school through the 8th grade and then graduated from Makoti High School in 1953.

Dennis enlisted in the Army in 1954 and was stationed at the Oppama Ordnance Depot in Yokosuka, Japan, until his honorable discharge in 1956. He cherished many fond memories of his time in Japan and was known to occasionally speak short phrases in Japanese.

After returning to North Dakota, Dennis worked and attended college in Minot and Fargo on the GI Bill.

During this time, he courted Audrey Larson, whom he married in 1959. They welcomed their first child in 1962 and initially resided in Minot before returning to live and work in Makoti.

Dennis served as the mayor of Makoti for three years, during which he played a significant role in bringing city water to the town.

In 1970, the family moved to Bismarck, where he was employed at Andy’s Auto Supply, traveling the state weekly in his big yellow truck to sell automotive parts. He formed numerous lifelong friendships among his customers and colleagues.

Eventually, he bought out Andy and ran the company, A&D Auto Supply, with Audrey.

Audrey and Dennis divorced in 1978. He later married Delores Shafer in 1989.

After closing his business in Bismarck in 1997, he moved back to Makoti with Delores in 1999, but they divorced in 2004.

Before retiring, he worked at Motor Service in Minot and Lakeside Machinery in Garrison.

Dennis possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of the history of the family homesteads and farms in McLean, Mountrail, and Ward counties.

He loved to take drives around the countryside with family and friends, during which he often shared his childhood memories and provided updates while keeping a close eye on the current crops.

An avid hunter, Dennis looked forward to and cherished his hunting trips to “The Shack” in western North Dakota, as well as making deer sausage with his regular crew of family and friends: Greg Petz, Ron Lampert, Pat Hatter, and Leo Ternes. When hunting was slow, those trips often included a round of golf.

Dennis had a passion for reading, particularly books about the history of the 19th Century West. His favorite subjects included early trappers, Native Americans, and cowboys of the old west.

For many years, Dennis made yearly road trips with Audrey to visit their children and grandchildren in Colorado, California, and Washington. During these trips, his love for his grandchildren was always evident, as was their affection for him.

Dennis was an active member of the American Legion, St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, and the Makoti Threshing Association.

He is survived by his son Nathan Petz (Carrie), daughter Heather Chapman (Jeff Poston), grandchildren Nathaniel Petz, Desiree Petz, Joel Petz, Kyle Petz, Luke Chapman, and stepdaughter Jeannie Shafer. He is also survived by his brothers Skip Petz (Cathy) and Greg Petz (Shirley), as well as sisters Donna Iglehart, Kitty Ann Olson (Arnold), and Doreen Wilkinson, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Dennis was preceded in death by his son Jason Petz, parents Jake and Alice Petz, brothers Duane Petz and Dick Petz, sisters Peggy Lampert and Joyce Pank, and several nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude for the love and support Dennis received from the Makoti community, Trinity Health Cancer Care, and Hospice of Red River Valley during his brief illness.

Dennis’ remains will be interred next to his son Jason in the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

Rosary: Thursday, June 26, at 10 a.m. in Old Makoti School, Makoti

Funeral Mass: Thursday, June 26, at 11 a.m. in Old Makoti School,

Makoti

Inurnment: Friday, June 27 at 1 p.m. at ND Veterans Cemetery in Mandan.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gifts be made in his memory to a Makoti charity of your choosing, the Trinity Health Foundation, or Hospice of Red River Valley.

(Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall www.langhansfuneralhome.com)

Published by The Minot Daily News on June 11, 2025.