Dennis Atherton

Denny Atherton passed away May 20, 2021, after a battle of cancer. He was born May 21, 1948 to David and Arlene Atherton in Waseca, MN. In 1969 he was stationed in Vietnam, serving in the US Army. After an honorable discharge from the US Army, he went to work at Menards, Rochester, MN and later went to work at Northwestern Bell Telephone Company. There he held several positions and retired as an outside plant engineer. In 2002, he went to school for marine fabrication and opened Valley Canvas. He made boat covers/tops, awnings, marine, residential and commercial upholstery and many other items. In 2017, he sold the business and retired.
He enjoyed golfing, fishing, boating, cooking, wood working and leather work. He will be greatly missed by his wife, Sheila; family members and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Alvin and Sadie Dowery, Martin and Etta Atherton, father David Atherton, mother Arlene Byrne, step father Dick Byrne.
He is survived by his wife of 47 years Sheila Atherton, Wabasha, MN; sister Deb Atherton, Edina, MN; mother-in-law Elsie Kruse, Fulda, MN; sister-in-law Geraldine (John) Schneiderman, Worthington, MN; step sister Diane (Dave) Rohwits, El Cajon, CA; aunts and uncles; nieces and nephews.
A private service and burial will be held at MN State Veterans Cemetery, Preston, MN.
Services entrusted to Abbott Funeral Home & Crematory, Wabasha, MN. Words of sympathy or remembrance may be left at www.abbottfh.com