Dennis Merril Lunde

Dennis Merril Lunde
October 14, 1943 – July 16, 2025

Dennis Merril Lunde, age 81, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, at the Yamato Rehabilitation Center in Boca Raton, FL, following a long and courageous battle with Alzheimer’s.

Dennis was born on October 14, 1943, in a small hospital in Grafton, North Dakota, to Orlin Lunde and Olive (Foseide) Lunde. He was raised in Milton, ND, where he was baptized and confirmed at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church. A bright and industrious young man, Dennis attended local schools and quickly stood out for his mechanical ingenuity and leadership. He was president of the FFA, a member of the local car club, and a participant in Boys State Leadership.  Even in childhood, he was constantly building and inventing—constructing his own motorcycle, go-kart, and hot rod from the body of a 1927 Ford Roadster. He also played the accordion.

At the age of 16, when his father was seriously injured in a car accident, Dennis stepped in to manage the family farm.
Despite these responsibilities, he pursued his education and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical and
Electronics Engineering from North Dakota State University. He later completed a master’s degree in the same field at
the University of Vermont in Burlington. During college, he was active in ROTC and spent summers working for the
Army Corps of Engineers and various trucking companies.

Dennis enjoyed a long and distinguished career at IBM, spanning 34 years. He began as a computer technology
designer and went on to contribute to numerous groundbreaking advancements. His work took him around the globe,
from the Great Wall of China to Aruba, from Singapore to the Eiffel Tower. He contributed to advanced systems like
collision avoidance for container ships and always had a passion for inventing. In 1967, he created a prototype for a
baby monitor, one of many innovative designs he developed—not for patents, but for the love of problem-solving.
After retiring from IBM, Dennis continued to innovate. He worked for 12 years as a hardware engineer at ILS
Technology and later joined Lindgren-Pitman, where he designed the company’s first large electronic fishing reel.
In 1966, Dennis married the love of his life, Judith Sveen, in Aberdeen, SD. Together, they raised two sons, Darrin and
James, and built a life full of love, adventure, and family. After moving to Boca Raton, FL, the family spent countless
joyful days at the beach, camping, walking, scuba diving, and attending the boys' activities. Dennis especially
treasured the annual RV trips back to North Dakota to visit family farms—always with the family pets along for the ride.
He also had a lifelong love of flying remote-controlled airplanes and single-passenger ultralight planes. Creative and
artistic, Dennis had a gift for fixing anything, and he never shied away from a challenge. Those who knew him
remember a man of quiet strength, deep kindness, unwavering honesty, and remarkable intellect—matched only by
his humility. His wife fondly recalls his beautiful blue-gray eyes and unique sense of humor.

Dennis is survived by his beloved wife of 59 years, Judith Sveen Lunde; sons Darrin of Miami, FL, and James (Stacey
Biasetti) of Boca Raton, FL; and cherished grandson Devin Lunde of Boca Raton. He is also survived by brothers-in-
law Randell Sveen of Edinburg, ND, and Russell Sveen (Susan Kassing), niece Madison and nephew Erik of Carmel,
IN; niece Kimberly Hansen (Carter) of Wahpeton, ND and their children Jaden (Mariah Snyder), Bridger, and Olivia;
and best friend of over 50 years, Roger Koch of Boca Raton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Orlin and Olive (Foseide) Lunde; brother Duane Lunde (Inez Guthmiller);
brother-in-law Richard Sveen; niece Cynthia (Lunde) Hovda; and nephew Michael Lunde.
Dennis will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all those fortunate enough to have known him. He leaves
behind a legacy of love, creativity, and quiet brilliance.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, September 6, 2025, at Glick Family Funeral Home located
at 3600 N Federal Hwy. Boca Raton, FL 33431. A private burial will take place at St Stephen’s Lutheran Church,
Milton, ND.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Dennis's memory to the Alzheimer's Association or a pet charity of your choice.

To view a livestream of the service, please click on the following link: Lunde Memorial Service