Dennis Lou Naatjes died in his sleep on New Year’s Eve 2025, at the age of 79. Denny was born in Canton, South Dakota, on May 9, 1946. He was the son of Erma (Heerde) and Lou Naatjes. He ended up moving to Northwest Iowa and graduated from Milford High School. He enlisted in the Artillery Army National Guard in 1964 and served for 6 years.
He spent most of his adult life working at Morton Buildings and being a police officer most notably in Everly. He eventually moved to Montana with his love, Betty “Betts” Gillman where he was a Sheriff’s Deputy until he retired. After Betty died, his boys moved him back to Spencer in 2023 and then Spirit Lake after the flood.
His first wife, Linda Bronson, and he had two children, Chad Naatjes and Ryan Naatjes. His second wife, Cindy Meyerdirk, and he had two more boys, Dennis “DJ” Naatjes and Beau Naatjes. Everyone who knew Denny would say what a great guy he was. He would help anyone out if he could. Denny’s boys must have inherited that gene from him along with his love of hunting and fishing. Last summer Chad, DJ and Beau took him on an epic guided fishing trip to Chamberlain. Denny had the time of his life.
In his younger years he enjoyed playing softball, pheasant & deer hunting, loved Chevy trucks (Ford was the worst 4 letter word to him), the Cubs and Vikings and watching westerns. Denny had a sweet tooth unmatched by most. He loved all things with sugar especially ice cream. Denny was also very stubborn and lived life on his terms. He survived jaw cancer in the ‘80s, a stroke in the 2020s, and was a severe diabetic the last few years of his life, but that didn’t stop him from enjoying his sweets. He was practically catlike for everything he survived. After he came back to the Iowa Great Lakes he was able to watch DJ and Beau’s kids participate in their sporting events, which everyone enjoyed. His boys did everything they could to make his life better in Iowa the last 3 years and Denny will be missed.
Denny was preceded in death by his mom and dad; brother, Mike Naatjes, and his last love, Betts.
He is survived by his sons, Chad (Nancy Naeve) of Spencer and Ryan of Stillwater, MN, DJ (Cara) of Spirit Lake, and Beau (Alyssa) of Spirit Lake; grandchildren, Josh, Kim, Emily, Daryan, Norah, Bjorn, Cruz, Cain, Brooke and Beckett; his brother, Dave Naatjes.
The family is hosting a celebration of life on Friday, January 9th, at Sneakers Sports Bar in Downtown Spencer from 4-7. It’s a casual come-and-go event with complimentary appetizers, cash bar and, as Denny would want, some of his favorite sweet treats.
Arrangements are under the care of Turner Jenness Funeral Home.
