Dennis Asleson

Dennis Asleson, age 74, died on Tuesday, Nov. 2, at his rural Cannon Falls home, surrounded by his family.

Dennis Craig Asleson, aka “Denny”, “Two-Sticker”, “Poke,” “Hay Hauler,” was born August 27, 1947, in Preston, MN, to Marvin and Myla (Sando) Asleson. Dennis was married to Carol (Nahrgang) on August 14, 1976 in Lewiston, MN. He grew up in Fountain, MN. After graduating from Preston High School in 1965, he started his trucking career hauling hay in the Cannon Falls area and was known as the little “hay hauler.” He advanced himself to a 2-stick Peterbilt which earned him his handle Two-Sticker. Dennis spent the next 46 years as an owner-operator with Midwest Specialized Transportation of Rochester. He retired from over the road and rounded off his final 56 years of driving with Avalon Trucking in Cannon Falls. He retired in August 2020.

Dennis calculated that he had driven approximately 4 million miles in his career. He won numerous driver-of-the-quarter awards with Midwest, and the highest honor Midwest Specialized Transportation Truck Driver of the Year in 2000 and the Minnesota Truckers Association Truck Driver of the Year in 2001. In an interview for this award, he said, “Find a job you love, and you will never work another day in your life.” Dennis's highest honor was to haul a load of wreaths as part of the Wreaths Across America program to Fort Logan National Cemetery, CO.

He enjoyed telling stories, a stiff drink, tinkering in his garage, and spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife Carol; children Craig (Anna) Asleson, Jackie (Paul) Sczepanski, Kelly Asleson, and Brittany Asleson and pup Pokey; grandchildren William and Isaac Sczepanski and Craig Jr, Josiah, and Aubrey Asleson; brother Alfred (Rae) Asleson; and sister Linda (Herman) Freese; sister-in-law Paulette (David) Karn and brother-in-law Roger (Mary) Nahrgang, nieces and nephew’s, his trucking family across the US, his long time neighbor, and good friend, Mike Growette and Mike’s little pup Charlie. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Richard Asleson and sister-in-law Olivia Bartelson.
Memorial services will be held on Sunday, Nov. 7 at 4:00 pm, at St. Ansgar’s Lutheran Church, 7459 Hwy 19 Blvd, Cannon Falls, MN 55009. There will be a time for food and fellowship following the service at Artisan Plaza, 1223 4th St S, Cannon Falls, MN 55009; from 5:00-7:00 pm. The service will be live-streamedand can be viewed at 4 pm on Nov 7 by clicking on the link below. Memorials can be sent to Asleson Family, PO Box 321, Cannon Falls, MN.