A Sweet Legacy: Honoring Dennis Ellens And His Ice Cream Impact

Sad news in West Michigan as the longtime owner of one of Michigan's most beloved products has passed away.

Dennis Ellens, the longtime owner and former CEO of Hudsonville Creamery and Ice Cream Co., died on Feb. 7 at the age of 70, Crain's Business/Grand Rapids reported.

Who doesn't like the delicious and creamy many flavors of Hudsonville Ice Cream? Nobody I know. And that love and popularity of the ice cream was due in large part to Denny Ellens.

Hudsonville Ice Cream goes all the way back 100-years, 1926, when Dick Hoezee decided to start an ice cream company.

Along came the Ellens family who bought the business 2003 and decided to move it to Holland. That way they could greatly expand the operation and grow the business.

Denny Ellens ran the company, overseeing many expansion's, and of course creation of so many different, yummy, flavors. He helped move Hudsonville ice cream into new products including novelty ice cream, but never sacrificing the Hudsonville quality.

I may have tried them all, but I plead the fifth!

👇 BELOW: THESE WERE BIGGEST THE ICE CREAM FLAVOR REJECTS! 👇

After stepping down as CEO in 2023, he stayed on the board, former J.M. Smucker Co. executive Tina Floyd took over as CEO, and is leading another $40 million expansion that started in 2025.

Tina Floyd said:

“Denny was an incredible visionary leader who led with humility and a strong sense of responsibility to both Hudsonville Ice Cream and his community. He was admired by our team and an inspiration to so many who knew him."

Denny Ellens was very philanthropic and deeply involved in the Holland and Lakeshore community. He will be greatly missed.