Obituary of Dennis E. McCrary

Dennis E. McCrary
August 13, 1945 – November 5, 2024

Dennis "Denny" E. McCrary, 79, of Maple Grove, MN, passed away peacefully on November 5, 2024, due to complications from Alzheimer’s disease. Born on August 13, 1945, in Parkston, South Dakota, Denny grew up in Ethan, SD, and graduated from Ethan High School in 1963.

In 1969, he married his beloved wife, Therese D. McCrary (Feiner), sharing 47 loving years and raising two children, Jason D. McCrary (Jill) and Jennifer L. Martin (Matt), in Brooklyn Park, MN. Denny’s life was grounded in his faith in Jesus Christ, instilled by his parents, which gave him strength and resilience throughout life. 

An avid outdoorsman and country music enthusiast, Denny found joy in nature’s simplicity, spending countless hours fishing, hunting, and cruising along to his favorite tunes, creating cherished memories with friends and relatives. After over 30 years in the Robbinsdale School District, he retired as Head of Transportation, admired for his dedication and warmth.

Of all the roles in his life, being “Papa” to his three grandchildren—Jackson, Grace, and Brooke—was perhaps his greatest joy and honor. They brought endless happiness to his days, and he treasured every moment spent with them, passing on his silly sense of humor, love of laughter, music, and the great outdoors.

After Therese’s passing in 2016, Denny found comfort in family, travel, and new experiences. He treasured trips with his siblings to Music City, reliving old memories while making new ones. In 2018, he found love and companionship again by marrying Ardyce (Egorenko), who shared his final years. Ardyce’s extended family includes her children—Denise Bosch (Dan), Craig Schmidt (Julie), Renee Roland (Bill), Kevin Schmidt, and Scott Schmidt—along with her 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

He is also survived by his siblings Sherry Stangler (Bob), Charleen McBrayer (Mike), Dean McCrary (Deborah), Crystal Cowherd (George), and Troy McCrary (Jill), who remember him as a devoted, fun-loving brother.

Denny is preceded in death by his first wife, Therese, and his parents, Ellsworth McCrary and Helen McCrary-Kunze.

Our cherished dad brought joy and warmth to every moment. His laugh was infectious, his garden bountiful, his waffles unforgettable, and he loved the thrill of a fast drive. With a simple, unconditional love, he made us feel cherished every day. His grandchildren will carry forward his legacy of faith, laughter, generosity, and adventure. He will be deeply missed.

Services will be held on Saturday, November 16th at Redeemer Covenant Church, 7801 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park, MN, with Visitation at 11 a.m. and a Celebration of Life service at 12 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to South Dakota Parks & Wildlife Foundation: https://www.parkswildlifefoundation.org/