Dennis Michael Kiel

Dennis (Denny) M. Kiel, 76, passed away peacefully at home on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, surrounded by family.

Denny was born on February 10, 1950, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Ron and Josephine Kiel. He chose to live his life with passion, joy, and love, standing firmly for peace, inclusion, and preservation of the environment.

After a full career as a journeyman carpenter and small business owner, Denny became the Director of Mission Jamaica for St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, where he was a dedicated member for 40 years and served in missions for over 20 years. He was part of the first teams for several international mission partnerships, including Mission Jamaica, Vision Slovakia, and Bega Kwa Bega in partnership with the Kipanga Parish in Tanzania.

Denny helped grow the Mission Jamaica partnership to include thousands of volunteers who built homes and supported schools. He and his wife Barb found their greatest joy in expanding Westhaven Children's Home for individuals with severe disabilities. Closer to home, he was an active participant in Habitat for Humanity for many years, driven by his belief that everyone deserves safe, affordable housing.

Denny enjoyed fishing, hunting, and gardening, but above all, he cherished his family and friends. He spoke proudly of them and had the remarkable ability to see the best in nearly everyone. A hard worker, Denny could fix or repurpose practically anything. He found joy in cooking, canning, and pickling. He loved to laugh.

For over 40 years, friends and family gathered at his beach to celebrate the Fourth of July. Many will remember Denny serving root beer floats and passing out freezies to generations of kids. We know he would want us to keep celebrating in that same joyful spirit.

He will be deeply missed by his partner and her family, Beth; his son, Patrick (Lynette), whose generous liver donation gave Denny seven additional years; his grandsons, Gabe and Logan; his granddaughter, Alana (Jay Homan); his sisters, Ellie, Kitty, and Corky; his brothers, Ron, Kevin, Chris, and Joe; his extended family of cousins, nieces, and nephews; and the many people he welcomed as family.

Denny was preceded in death by Barb, his wife of over 40 years; Bailey, his granddaughter; and Diana, his sister.

A visitation will be held at St. Andrew's Lutheran Church in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, on May 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., followed by a Celebration of Life at 11:00 a.m. and refreshments will be served in the Fellowship Hall. 

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to St. Andrew's Mission Jamaica, the St. Andrew's Community Resource Center, which provides hope, strength, and essential support and shelter for local families, or the BeBailey Foundation, a nonprofit started by the Kiel family that provides financial support for young people to go on mission trips, environmental conservation and education groups Bailey was part of.