Dennis Wayne Lynch

WINONADennis W. Lynch, 65, of Winona died Wednesday March 6th at home from complications of colon cancer. He wanted everyone to be aware that colon cancer could be prevented through early detection. Dennis wanted to urge everyone to please get a colonoscopy as recommended and be especially diligent if you have a family history of cancer.Dennis was born on Nov. 19, 1947 in Rhinelander, WI to Russell and JoAnn (Rayford) Lynch. Dennis married Rita Sandy in May of 1976 and they had two sons Ryan and Sean.Dennis graduated from P.J. Jacobs High School in Stevens Point, WI. He then attended UW Stevens Point during which time he worked his way through school as a bus driver. After graduating from college he became a police officer for the City of Stevens Point and continued his education working on his Master's Degree in Public Administration through the UW Oshkosh.After nearly a decade as a police officer Dennis changed gears. Following his entrepreneurial spirit and his love of books and reading Dennis and Rita opened the Little Professor Book Center in Winona. Dennis loved the bookstore environment. He loved talking to his customers and vendors and working with the public. He enjoyed the challenge of owning his own business and being able to "set his own rules".As the business world changed, Dennis adapted and bought into a new enterprise - Quality Laser Products. As a small business owner Dennis felt it was important to always service his customers ethically.If you ever talked to Dennis you knew the mainstay of his life was his wife and two children. His buttons would bust off when discussing the accomplishments of his sons, Ryan a civil engineer at Washington University in St. Louis MO.; and Sean who holds his PhD in Mathematics and works outside Washington, D.C. Rita walked hand in hand with Dennis for 37 years - sometimes over rocky roads but mostly cruising down the highway of love and family. Dennis passed his love of family on to his sons. Ryan has started his own by marrying an outstanding young woman, Melissa (Fletcher) Lynch.Dennis is also survived by two brothers, Douglas (Sherry) Lynch of Tampa, FL and Don (Sue) Lynch of Minocqua, WI; and several nieces and nephews.Oh yeah, Den says GO PACK GO!A gathering of family and friends will be held from 10am-12pm on Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Hoff Celebration of Life Center in Goodview. Celebration will begin at noon, led by Funeral Celebrant, Jenny Hoff. Burial will take place at a later date in the Benton County Cemetery in Sauk Rapids.Please share a memory of Dennis with his family, sign the online guestbook, and view his video tribute when it becomes available online at www.hofffuneral.com.
Tribute video can be found at: videos.lifetributes.com/379405