Dennis Peter Kotschevar

Dennis Peter Kotschevar, 94, passed away peacefully on May 1, 2026, under the kind and respectful care of the staff at St. Catherine’s Living Center in Wahpeton. 

He was born to Peter and Josephine (Deis) Kotschevar on October 11, 1931 in Bowdle, South Dakota and was raised on the family cattle farm south of Roscoe, South Dakota, along with his brother and sister. He attended rural school and graduated from Roscoe High School in 1949. He farmed with his parents until 1963, with the exception of the two years he served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1954 during the Korean War. He was stationed at Fort Lawton, Washington as a radar mechanic.

Dennis married Inez Guthmiller on July 2, 1961, in Roscoe and together they raised four children. In 1963, Dennis began his career of 34 years as an insurance agency manager in Lemmon, SD, later moving to Cavalier, Casselton, and Enderlin, ND, Vermillion and Elk Point, SD. He retired in 1997 and moved to Aberdeen to be closer to his brother. In 2013, when his health started to decline, he moved to Fergus Falls, MN, then to Wahpeton, ND to the Leach Home and St. Catherine’s Living Center to be closer to his children.

Wherever Dennis called home, he built lasting friendships and cherished memories, both on and off the golf course. Dennis took great pride in his large, beautiful gardens and the care of his lawn. He also enjoyed playing cards, bowling, attending ball games, talking politics, but mostly joking around with his many friends. After his divorce in 1988, Dennis went back to his life as a South Dakota boy and enjoyed dating, traveling, and being an active Senior Citizen. In 2018, Dennis lost his son, Joel, to a heart attack. He loved Joel dearly as a son and a friend.

Dennis is survived by his son, Brian (Sharon) Kotschevar of Vergas, two daughters, Karen Anderson, Wahpeton, and Julie (Michael) Bommersbach, Perham, daughter-in-law Christine Kotschevar of Fergus Falls; eleven grandchildren, Michael (Marissa) Anderson, Colfax, Alexis (Carl) Fraley, Minneapolis, Lauren (Zach) Maas, Wahpeton, Zane (Lauren) Kotschevar, Golden Valley, Lydia (Connor) Landusky, Denver, Claire (Adam) Gothier, Alexandria, Kate Kotschevar, Champlin, Jenna (Luke) Krause, Mantador, Brock Kotschevar, Moorhead, Brody Bommersbach and Ella Bommersbach, Perham and 9 great-grandchildren, Levi, Madelyn, Vivian, Gianna, Jameson, Scarlett, Rudy, Shepard, Scarlet, and Darcy.

He was preceded in death by his son, Joel Kotschevar, his parents, his brother, Arnold, and sister and brother-in-law, Dolores and Kenneth Nelson and granddaughter, Rachel Kotschevar.

 The family will be having a private graveside service in Roscoe, South Dakota.

 Arrangements are being made by Vertin-Munson Funeral Home in Wahpeton.