NEW ULM–Dennis “DJ” Leppla, age 73, of New Ulm passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at his home in New Ulm.

Memorial service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm. Pastor Jeffrey Bovee will officiate. Burial will follow in the New Ulm City Cemetery. Visitation will be from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm.

To leave an online condolence for the family, or to sign the guestbook, please visit: www.mvfh.org

Dennis is survived by his sister, Barb (Rick) Berthiaume; nieces, Jessi Yenish, Jeanni (Brad) Kutz, Kim (Paul) Humann; nephews, Jake (Carol) Yenish and John Leppla; and his rescue fur-baby, Elmer. His legacy lives on in the memories of hundreds of people he encountered through his unique life.

Dennis was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Sharon; his parents, Ken and Bea, and his brother, Tom.

Dennis James Leppla was born May 18, 1951 in St. Paul to Ken and Bea Leppla. He was baptized and confirmed at Emanuel Evangelical Lutheran in St. Paul and graduated from St. Croix Lutheran High School. He attended Dr. Martin Luther College where he graduated with a BS of Education; but more importantly, it brought him to New Ulm where he met Sharon (Holland), the love of his entire life.

Dennis and Sharon were married on May 4, 1974, at St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church in New Ulm and anchored their lives in Christ through fellowship with this community.

Dennis quickly realized that teaching was not his calling and worked for Borden’s Dairy and eventually Fermenich for over 40 years. He took great pride in the work he did and when he retired in 2016 he stayed on part-time for many years.

Dennis was not a man who lived to work. He and Sharon stayed very active in the Jaycee’s and JCI groups. Traveling all over the country to attend meetings and conventions and build relationships with hundreds. Relationships that he maintained through sending greeting cards and making special singing birthday phone calls throughout the year.

Dennis loved science fiction, spicy foods, pigs, Maine Coon cats (really all animals), making homemade breads, baking Christmas cookies, wearing scrubs, visiting with folks in hospitality rooms at conventions, telling stories, making jokes, the MN State Fair, back scritches, Greek fisherman caps, sweet wines mixed with Diet Mountain Dew, hot tubbing, sharing food, playing cards, and mostly, Sharon. He is now reunited with the love of his life, there was never doubt in his mind about the fulfillment of God’s promises. He will be dearly missed by those who knew him.

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