Aug. 27, 1942 – March 23, 2025
Rev. Dennis “Denny” Earl Garrels, 82, of St. Louis, Mo., passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 23, 2025, after living with Parkinson’s disease for 20 years.
Garrels was born Aug. 27, 1942, in Detroit, Mich., to Earl and Milda (Diefenbach) Garrels. He graduated from Walled Lake High School in West Acres, Mich., and in 1966 earned a bachelor's degree in music from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor. He later received his Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree in 1978, from Concordia Theological Seminary in both Springfield, Ill., and Fort Wayne, Ind.
He married his wife, Dale Patricia Wooliver, in 1966, and together they faithfully served The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) congregations in Springfield, Ill.; Hicksville, N.Y.; Detroit, Mich.; and Fort Madison, Iowa. In 1982, Garrels began serving as pastor of St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in St. Louis, Mo., until 2004. He then accepted a call to Peace Lutheran Church in Los Angeles, Calif., where he served until his retirement in 2015. He returned to St. Louis in 2019.
He is survived by his daughter, Robyn (Jaryd) Wolfsberger, and grandchildren Fynn, Ulysses "Sully," Yeats, and Joyce. He is also survived by his brothers, Bob Garrels and Mike (Marti) Garrels, along with many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 32 years, Dale, and his sister, Judy Garrels.
A memorial service for Garrels was held Saturday, April 26, 2025, at Gethsemane Lutheran Church (ELCA) in St. Louis.
Memorial contributions may be made to:
EverTrue Laclede Groves (formerly known as Lutheran Senior Services)
723 S. Laclede Station Road,
St. Louis, MO 63119