Bernard Dennis Cokley

Dennis's wife, Peggy passed away shortly after him on 8/26/2025.

Dennis was born in the Sauk Centre, MN area to Loretta (Rieger) and George Cokley. At age 4 Dennis, along with his younger siblings, were placed in the foster care system in St. Cloud, MN and later in St. Paul. He spent most of his childhood with a foster family in Little Canada, MN with his brothers Jimmy and Jerry. In his teen years, Dennis went to live with his best friend Jim Bougie and his family in Little Canada, MN. Gert and Lefty Bougie treated Dennis like a son and Jim and Jack Bougie were considered brothers. Dennis was able to maintain contact with his 5 brothers thanks to the older brother’s efforts in keeping the family together. The “Cokley boys” and their families remained connected throughout their lives. Dennis’s sisters, Betty Lou and Genevieve, were adopted into families.

Dennis went to St. John Catholic School of Little Canada, MN for primary grades. Prior to finishing high school, he enlisted in the Marines in 1956. Dennis served his country as a rifleman in the Panama Canal. His assignment was to protect the US ships during a tumultuous time. After his discharge from the Marines, he attended night school and graduated from Mechanic Arts High School with his GED in 1962.

Dennis married Lois Ann Bollinger on June 9, 1962. They lived in Roseville, MN where their three daughters were born. Dennis worked in maintenance for the Roseville public schools. They moved to Gatesville, Texas (1972-1975) to be near Lois’s sister Jeanne (Gary) Landes and her family. During this time Denny worked with teenage boys at The State School for Boys, a juvenile correctional facility. He developed strong relationships with the boys and was able to be an empathetic mentor and caring example. He’s often mentioned it was hard for him to leave this job.

In 1975, Dennis and his family moved back to St. Paul, MN where he worked over 25 years with St. Paul Public Housing. Dennis worked as a resident caretaker of a senior high rise on the West Side of St. Paul, as well as boiler engineer and maintenance mechanic. He retired in 2000.

Dennis married his 2nd wife Peggy on March 28. 1986 and they lived in North Oaks, MN until they moved to White Pines Senior Living in Blaine, MN in 2024. After retirement Dennis also worked part time several years in the maintenance department at Menards.

Dennis was a man who had a deep love for his savior Jesus, a praying man with unwavering faith. He was a lover of people and deeply cared about others. We’ve all heard countless times phrases like, “How are you today young lady or whipper snapper or beautiful? How’s life treating you?” Regardless of how he was feeling he always wanted to know about you. It was rare that anyone could pass by without him greeting them. Denny was a hard worker, straight shooter, honest, and generous. He loved his coffee breaks and sweets, especially chocolate eclairs and peanut butter cookies.

Denny enjoyed spending time with family and friends, playing in a bowling league with Peggy, traveling around with their RV group, rooting for the Twins and Vikings together, going for walks, and out to eat.

Dennis is survived by his daughters, Jolene (Brian) Kirchner, Connie (Steve) Turnquist, Colleen Bakken; grandchildren, Jake (Jenny) Kirchner, Jenna (Jeff) Jacobs, Dan (April) Kirchner, Brianna (Elijah) Buecksler, Alexandra (Caleb) Tweeten, Nikka (Drew) Erickson, James (Bethy) Bakken, Rock Bakken and 10 great grandchildren, Alliyah, Avielle, Paisley, Eva, Mac, Zane, Peyton, Sofia, Kyler, Dylan.

Dennis is survived by his beloved brother, Jimmy (Rosie) Cokley and 2 sisters-in-law, Margaret and Patricia Cokley, as well as many nieces and nephews and friends.

Dennis is also survived by his wife Peggy’s children, Wendy (Tom) Leiter, Kathleen Schoeller, and Michael (Tracy) Schoeller as well as their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and Peggy’s sister “Trish."

Memorial services will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at River Valley Church, Eagan at 10:30 AM with visitation beginning at 9:30 AM. Burial will be held at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis at 1:30 PM following the service.

In lieu of sympathy cards, family is requesting birthday cards in celebration of Dennis’s first heavenly birthday.