MANKATO — The girlfriend of the victim in Tuesday’s homicide at Kwik Trip said she’d remember him for his resilience, positive attitude and contagious smile.
Kelsey Audrienne said she and Dennis Vosika, 34, of Mankato, had been together since 2015.
“He’s not just a victim in a newspaper,” Audrienne said. “He’s a person who lived a big life.”
Family was most important to Vosika, she said. He was a son, brother and uncle who had three “fur baby” cocker spaniels, Roxi, Rocco and Ravyn.
Vosika was also a huge sports fan, particularly the Vikings and Timberwolves. Life was one big adventure for the ever-social Mankatoan, who was originally from Cambridge, Audrienne said.
“It’s going to be hard without him, but I know his life will be celebrated and honored,” she said. “That’s what I’m going to try to do.”
Dealing with kidney disease, Vosika would’ve wanted the team at DaVita Dialysis to know he appreciated them, said. He was there three days a week.
“They helped him sustain his life,” she said.
Mankato police say the murder occurred at the Madison Avenue Kwik Trip at about 3 a.m. They arrested a suspect, Michael Miller, 28, hours later at his Mankato residence.
He is facing a second-degree murder charge.
Vosika was a victim of circumstance, Audrienne said. She refrained from any specific comments on the suspect or incident.
“There needs to be more resources and help for people with mental health,” she said. “I hope that no one has to lose their life like Dennis did.