Dennis Hanssen, 81, longtime resident of Sioux Falls and former owner of Hanssen Builders, passed away on August 14th, 2025.  Memorial services will be 10:00 AM, Thursday, August 21, 2025, at Miller Funeral Home - Westside Chapel (6200 W. 41st St., Sioux Falls). The family will greet friends for visitation from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, at the funeral home.

Please Click Here To View The Livestream

Dennis Stanley Hanssen was born on December 16, 1943, in Alexandria, South Dakota, to Otto and Emma (Lang) Hanssen. He attended school in Alexandria prior to joining the Army in February of 1966. He spent time in Germany during his deployment, where he became a paratrooper. He moved back to the States in early 1969, where he finished his time with the Army before returning to Mitchell, SD, and completing his carpentry training at Mitchell Technical Institute.

He met and married the love of his life, Gloria Studer, on December 5th, 1966. They spent time in Germany and North Carolina before they moved to Sioux Falls. Dennis started Hanssen Builders in 1975, where he had a hand in creating beautiful homes for families. He also had a passion for vintage cars, coaching softball, and dad jokes. Many knew Dennis for the mischievous twinkle in his eye.

Dennis never truly retired; you could always find him working on some project for someone he personally knew. He loved being of service and helping wherever he could. He had a passion for cars and could often be found in his garage late at night working on one project or another. Dennis and his wife cherished their time spent with their friends in the card club and bowling many Sunday evenings. Some other loves were his flower and vegetable gardens. He had a very special way of teaching his grandchildren, Jacey and Jacob to drive, such as letting them know blinkers were a courtesy and you can drive in both lanes because you paid your taxes for the whole road. He passed on his love for all things mechanical to Asher and Hunter, while Chase got his love for the beauty of the nature around him.

Grateful for having shared his life are his daughter, Kim Venezia and her husband Seth, Carlsbad, CA; son, Jeff Hanssen and his wife Carrie, Sioux Falls, SD; and daughter, Angela Heggland and her husband Karl, Dillon, CO; and his five grandchildren, Jacey, Jacob, Asher, Hunter, and Chase. He is also survived by one sister, Geraldine Lynn, CA.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife, Gloria; his parents; and sisters, Bernice Kewley and Lulu Kenton.