Denis Altman

Denis Louis Altman was born June 23, 1934 to Louis and Mildred Altman of St. Paul. He grew up in the Midway Area of St. Paul and attended St. Agnes School before transferring to Wilson High School where he graduated. He attended the University of Minnesota and attained his Bachelors Degree. During these years he worked part time at a local grocery store on the corner of Minnehaha and Hamline and also pursued an interest in radio repair at a shop in the Midway area, as well as working at the Northern Pacific Railway as did his cousins, Dick Altman and Kathryn Ashe. After graduating from college he spent his career as a claim adjuster. He worked for State Farm, Great American Insurance and then at Northern State Power.
Denis met Ginny following her involvement in an automobile accident when he was assigned to follow up on the claim she made against the driver of the other car which was insured by State Farm Insurance.
They spent their married years in St. Paul, New Brighton, Forest Lake and White Bear Lake before moving to Shoreview. Den had a love of boats, camping, radios, cars and pets. He had a love of the water but left it up to his father to teach the boys how to fish. He introduced his family to his other interests, teaching the boys how to water ski, sail a Sunfish, an "M" boat and a "J" boat. Denis claimed First Place to win a "J" boat race as a member of the Forest Lake Sailing Club. He also taught the boys how to drive a pontoon, and a speed boat and the boys have, at times also pursued these interests. Den also shared his love of the water with others, and introduced these interests to Ginny's sisters and their families as they came from out of state to enjoy the Minnesota summers. Vacations included camping in Western States and canoeing down Minnesota Rivers. Many happy hours were spent on various Twin City Lakes and then principally Forest Lake and the St. Croix River.
Both Denis and Ginny loved dogs. They started out with a lab mix and a shepherd mix and then got a German Shepherd Dog and got involved in showing in obedience and conformation shows which took the family on vacations to attend summer dog shows on the East and West Coasts as well as many of the states in the US and also in Canada. They bred, raised and showed dogs successfully for a number of years.
Denis also had an interest in old cars and was an active member of the Cougar Club of America and the Hudson Car Club for many years. He also collected and repaired Radios and was a member of the Radio Club throughout his active life.

Denis is preceded in death by his parents Mildred and Louis Altman and his first wife, Margaret (Marge) Kane, mother of his sons, Chuck and John. He is survived by his wife, Ginny, his sister, Nancy E. Zuber (Dell Smith) and sons Chuck (Sue), John (Meg) and Rick (Kathy) as well as grandchildren Dustin and Tyler, Jeff, Abby and Oscar, and two great grandchildren.