Dennis Duane Galagan

Dennis Galagan, age 87, passed away Thursday, January 8, 2026. A memorial service will be held at 2 PM on Wednesday, January 21, 2026 at Bayview Freeborn Funeral Home. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. A private family burial will be held at a later date.

Dennis Duane Galagan was born March 6, 1938, to Kenneth and Lorraine (Whipps) Galagan in Waseca, MN. In his early life he lived in Aitkin, MN and Ontario, California. He attended school in Ontario until the fifth grade when his family returned to Albert Lea. Dennis graduated from Albert Lea High School in 1957. After high school, Dennis enlisted in the United States Navy where he served for 6 years. On August 27, 1961, he was united in marriage to Arlene Arnold. From this union three children were born. The family made their home in Albert Lea and Dennis worked as a train operator and clerk for the Union Pacific and Chicago Northwestern Railroads until he retired. He continued to live in Albert Lea until the time of his death.

Dennis was a member of Central Freeborn Lutheran Church. He was also a member of the VFW and American Legion for 30 years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and trap shooting. In 1970, he earned his private pilot license and enjoyed flying his plane that he restored with friends. In his free time, he enjoyed reading a good book, watching an old western and listening to old time and country music. Above all, he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Dennis is survived by his wife of 64 years, Arlene; daughters Diane (Bob) Parrott, Kathy (Jim) Fitzlaff; son, James Galagan; grandchildren, Tony Blake, Jacob Fitzlaff, Jordan Fitzlaff, Addison Galagan, Caitlin Galagan; great grandchildren, Trent, Gabby and Ellie; niece, Dawn (Gary) Divis and nephew, Mark Olson.

He is preceded in death by his parents; grandmother, Wilamene (Fisher) Whipps; grandfather, Benjamin Whipps; grandson, Christopher M. Blake mother and father in law, Merrill and Hildegard Arnold; sister and brother in law Larry and Marge Olson.

The family would like to thank Mayo Clinic hospice for the exceptional care and support they provided in Dennis’s last weeks.