Dennis Melvin Anfinson

Dennis' service will be streamed on the church's YouTube page.

Dennis Anfinson, 83, of Willmar, passed away on Monday, August 17, 2026, at Bethesda Grand in Willmar.

His memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, August 29, at Vinje Lutheran Church in Willmar. Visitation will be from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, August 28, at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar and will continue for one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. Memorials are preferred to Vinje Lutheran Church.

Dennis Melvin Anfinson was born June 5, 1943, in Willmar, Minnesota, to Anfin and Hazel (Olson) Anfinson. He grew up in Atwater, where he was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church. He attended Atwater High School, where he was a gifted athlete, and graduated in 1961. During the summers following his junior and senior years, Dennis worked as a farmhand in Montana. He later began driving gravel trucks for Duininck Construction.

On November 27, 1964, Dennis married Maxine Quisberg at Lebanon Lutheran Church in New London. They made their home in Willmar, where they raised their two children, Melisa and Dean. In January 1967, Dennis was drafted into the U.S. Army. He served for two years in the military, including one year in Vietnam, and earned several decorations for his service, including the Purple Heart.

Following his discharge, Dennis began working in the warehouse at Minnesota Electric. Through his dedication and strong work ethic, he worked his way up to become general manager of the company’s seven Minnesota locations. Dennis was known for being one of the first to arrive in the morning and one of the last to leave at the end of the day. He retired in April 2005 after a long and successful career.

Dennis was an active member of Vinje Lutheran Church, where he served as an usher, confirmation guide and mentor, and helped care for the church cemetery. He was a “go-to” person whenever something needed to be done at the church and was always willing to lend a hand.

Dennis was equally committed to serving his community. He served on the Willmar Police Commission and was a member of the Kiwanis Club. He also volunteered as a Boy Scout leader and with the Red Cross Bloodmobile, Willmar Area Food Shelf, and Meals on Wheels. Dennis had a soft heart for those in need and quietly gave his time and talents wherever he could help.

Dennis was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting, especially duck and deer hunting. He treasured time spent on Maxine’s family’s land near New London and especially enjoyed introducing younger family members to hunting and sharing those traditions with them.

Dennis loved to socialize and visit with others, particularly when there was a cup of coffee and a cookie involved. Most of all, he cherished time with his family. Whether it was the annual summer camping trips with Maxine and the kids when they were young or, more recently, time spent with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, family was always at the center of Dennis’s life.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Maxine; his two children, Melisa (Rick) Schueler of Alexandria and Dean (Laura) Anfinson of Spicer; six grandchildren, Erin Ann Schueler, Bria (Michael) Spoden, Kaitlyn (Riley) Kollman, Colton Anfinson, Baylie (Hayden) Shaw, and Hunter (Mitchell) O’Connor; three great-grandchildren, Sonny Hayes Shaw, Liam Riley Kollman, and Scottie Jo O’Connor; and his brother, Gene (Lynell) Anfinson of St. George, Utah.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Donna Anfinson.

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