Denise Fuller

Denise Fuller, of Dawson, MN died Tuesday, December 27, 2022, at Fairview U of MN Hospital in Minneapolis at the age of 64. 

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the Dawson Covenant Church, rural Dawson. Pastor Terry White will officiate. Interment will be in the church cemetery. 

Visitation will be held at the church for one hour before the service. Arrangements are with Hanson & Dahl Funeral Home in Dawson. 

Following her mother's fall on the ice, Denise Ann (Tate) Fuller was born prematurely on November 24, 1958 in Sioux Falls, SD the daughter of Dennis and Doris (Matthies)Tate. Shortly after her initial discharge from the hospital, Denise was readmitted to the hospital for an extended period of time. During this time, her family was in the midst of moving and her grandmother Ilene Tate cared for her and formed a strong bond with her. 

Denise attended high school in Lennox, SD and Bismarck, ND. She became a member of the National Honor Society. Later she attended the University of Sioux Falls. 

Denise led a life full of adventure residing in Sioux Falls, SD, Bismarck, ND, and several areas in Montana including living in the middle of the mountains with no electricity or running water before returning to Sioux Falls. She worked various jobs ending her working career as a medical claims specialist for several nursing homes in the Midwest. 

On June 23, 2007 Denise received a single lung transplant at the University of Minnesota to replace one of the lungs allowed to be damaged by low levels of alpha-1 antitrypsin. Working closely with her transplant team, being very conscientious about her lifestyle and very careful taking her medications Denise has enjoyed 15 ½ years post-transplant.  Denise has been very thankful for friends and family and God for supporting her during the recovery from the transplant and navigating the bumps allowing her to enjoy many good things. To Denise the good things don’t get any better than Joshua and Mikal and Marshall and Julian. She liked to tell how much she enjoyed lying in bed listening to the conversation at breakfast as they prepared for the day. 

Denise was a loving Mom who worked hard to provide for her family. She enjoyed making jewelry and cooking. When she became aware of a friend or neighbor needing help getting a meal, she would prepare food and bring it to them. For those who would help her she would make candy or her brand of Chex Party Mix. Denise volunteered to help in her church office and served as a Support Group Leader for the Dakotaland Alpha-1 Support Group in Sioux Falls. 

She is survived by her husband, Lyle Schutte; her son, Joshua (Mikal Kenfield) Malnourie of Moorhead, MN; her mother, Doris Tate of Sioux Falls; three grandchildren: Marshall, Julian, and Joey; four great-grandchildren; six siblings: Doug (Michelle) Tate of Tacoma, WA, Dwayne (Linda) Tate of Worthing, SD, David Tate of Luverne, MN, Doreen (Brad) Kahlhof of Sioux Falls, SD, Darrin (Sandy) Tate of Tea, SD, and Danette (Gerry) Krumrei of Sioux Falls, SD; and numerous nieces and nephews. 

Preceding her in death was her father, Dennis Tate. 

Blessed be her memory.