Dennis Santkuyl

Dennis Joseph Santkuyl, age 75 of Freedom, WI died unexpectedly on January 24, 2026. He was born to Joseph and Jean (Thompson) Santkuyl on December 4, 1950 in Appleton, WI. After graduating high school, he enlisted with the Air Force in the Vietnam conflict. After coming home, he started working as a millworker in Combined Locks’ paper mill. He met the love of his life, Evelyn “Sue” Kniskern and they were married in July of 1972. They spent 53 wonderful years together, sheltering 31 exchange students over the years.

Dennis was one of the most fun-loving guys you could meet – quite a jokester! But he was also a very genuine person when the situation called for it - always the first one to extend a helping hand when it was needed. In his free time, Dennis liked to tinker and seemed to have a hundred different projects he was always working on. He’d putz with everything from machinery to woodworking. Dennis was very proud of his coin collection, but kept adding more to the menagerie. He and Sue enjoyed traveling and spent a good portion of their lives residing in Guatemala and China. More than anything, though, Dennis loved his family, and was so proud of all of his nephews and nieces that he treated as kids of his own.

Dennis will be deeply missed by his wife, Sue; his siblings, Linda (Steve), David, Kay (Mark), Wayne, Jo Ann (Rob), Keith “Vinnie” (Terryl), Gary (Wendy), Lee, and Dale (Liesl); his sister-in-law, Arlene; his many exchange students, especially Nelson (Judith) Rugamas and Jose (Anna) Recinos and their kids who stayed in the Valley and kept in touch; as well as many nieces, nephews, other extended relatives, and dear friends.

Dennis is preceded in death by his parents, Joe and Jean; and his sister-in-law, Pat and brother-in-law, Bill.

A memorial visitation will be held for Dennis from 10:30 – 11:30 AM on Monday, March 2, 2026 at Calvary Bible Church, 1450 Oakridge Rd, Neenah, WI 54956 with a memorial service and military honors to follow at 11:30 AM. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the Youth Department at Calvary Bible Church in Neenah or planting a tree in his memory.