Rev. Dennis Gene Pettyjohn, 67, of Owatonna died Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, at his home.

He was born Sept. 29, 1947, in Peoria, Illinois, the son of Orvil and Martha (Schroeder) Pettyjohn. Dennis attended high school in Washington, Illinois, where he graduated in 1965. He continued his education at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa, and graduated from Wartburg Theological Seminary in Dubuque, Iowa, in 1973. Dennis met his future wife, Dee Ann Hughes, while completing his internship in Houston, Minnesota. They were married Aug. 20, 1972, in Houston. Dennis was ordained in June of 1973 at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Washington, Illinois. He began serving at a two-point parish, Mansfield Lutheran Church in Kiester and Lime Creek Lutheran Church in Emmons, from 1973 to 1979. From 1979 to 1982 he was a pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Earlville, Illinois, and from 1982 to 2005 St. John Lutheran Church in Owatonna. He retired in 2005.

Dennis cherished his family and loved spending time with them. He enjoyed playing board games and cards with the family and allowing others to occasionally win. He had a passion for music and singing. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and, more recently, Minnesota Gophers Hockey.

Dennis was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. He sang in the church choir and was a supporter of local missions.

He is survived by his wife, Dee Ann Pettyjohn, of Owatonna; his daughters, Charissa Pettyjohn (Jim Kytola) of Boston and Tenley (Jon) McDonald of Shakopee; his grandchildren Owen Charles McDonald and Lydia Rose McDonald; his sister, Karen Pettyjohn, of Washington.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be at from 4 to 8 p.m.  today at Michaelson Funeral Home in Owatonna and one hour prior to the service at the church. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden. The Rev. Patti Meyer will officiate. Interment will be in St. Paul’s Cemetery in Meriden. Memorials are preferred to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Meriden or to the donor’s preference.