Dennis ‘Denny’ D. Illa, age 68, of Hastings passed away on January 28, 2023 at United Hospital in St. Paul. Denny was born to parents, Bud and Peggy Illa on Dec. 2, 1954, in Hastings. He graduated from Hastings High School in 1972 and pursued a career in the auto body industry working with his father. In 1975 he married Carol Hankes. They had three children together and made many wonderful memories. Sadly, Carol passed in 2006 from cancer.
Denny owned and operated Hastings Auto Body for over 30 years. In 2014 he retired, and shortly after married Susan ‘Sue’ (Anderson) Illa. Denny was an avid car enthusiast, he loved his own collection of cars and enjoying other’s at local car shows. It became a family thing, and his passion for cars was shared with his children. He loved spending time with friends and family at the lake. Large family gatherings for the holidays were very important to Denny. He even made alterations to his home to accommodate. Denny loved everything about being a grandpa and being involved in his grandchildren’s lives as much as possible. He will be greatly missed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bud and Peggy Illa; wife, Carol Illa; brother, Chris Illa; nephew, Chad Karnick; sister-in-law, Carrie Illa; mother and father-inlaw, Barb and Keith Hankes.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Sue; children, Paul (Vicki) Illa, Nicholas (JoAnn Mimbach) Illa and Melissa (Nick Chapman) Illa; step-children, Charles (Peggy) Schluessler, Michael Downs and Michelle (Jack) Barnett; 8 grandchildren; and sisters, Kathy (Kevin) Karnick and Char (Gary) Brown Services will be held at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023, starting at 1 p.m. with a visitation being held one hour prior. Interment will be at Lakeside Cemetery, Hastings MN, at 2 p.m. with a reception following the service at Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel.
Arrangements are being completed by Starkson Family Life Celebration Chapel of Hastings.
