Dennis Denny Lee
August 27, 1947 — May 8, 2008
Dennis "Denny" Lee, son of Allyn C. and Thelma E. (Wetzel) Erb, was born on August 27, 1947 in Irwin, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Irwin and graduated from the Irwin-Kirkman High School in 1965. He entered the United States Navy in 1965 and served during the Vietnam Conflict as an A-7 Corsair simulator instructor.
On June 13, 1970, Denny was united in marriage to Judy Werner in Carroll, Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Jason, Nathan and Jamie. After their marriage, they lived in Ames where Denny attended Iowa State University for two years. They lived in Manning before moving to a farm east of Irwin in 1972 where he raised hogs, cattle, beans and corn for over 30 years. During his farming years he was a salesman for Asgrow Seeds and for Archer Petroleum Products where he was currently the Shelby County Manager. He was a licensed real estate agent for Knueven R. E. & Insurance in Manning and for the past several years had been employed at Puck Custom Enterprises in Manning. He was a member of the IKM School Board where he was in his third term currently serving as board Vice President.
Denny was also involved with the Mid-America Council Boy Scouts of America volunteering for over twenty-five years mainly with IKM Troop 99, Ohwahnasee District and Camp Cedars. In 1994, he was named a National Scoutmaster of the year. Denny was an active member of the American Legion Post No. 22 of Manning having served as their Commander. In his younger days, he enjoyed playing softball with the Kirkman team and rugby with the Harlan team. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed showing his 1969 Z28 Camaro in auto shows. One of his lifelong dreams was to build his own house, which he completed in February, 2004 so he and his family could move in and enjoy.
In March 2006, Denny was diagnosed with brain cancer. He looked forward to the future and was never willing to give in, always working and spending time with his family and friends as much as he could. On April 28, Denny became a resident of Hospice House in Omaha where he passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2008 having attained the age of sixty years, eight months and eleven days.
Preceding Denny in death are his parents; son Nathan in infancy; brother Gary; sister Gloria Huff and parents-in-law Wilbur and Dorothy Werner. He is survived by his wife Judy of Irwin; children Jason (Chanie) Erb of Enid, OK; Jamie Erb of Omaha; one grandson Bodey Erb of Enid; siblings: Sharon (Richard) Monson of Harlan; Diana (Bill) Barton of Omaha; Roger (Carol) Erb of Harlan; stepmother Leona Erb of Harlan; stepsister Linda (Dennis) Wildner of Omaha; stepbrother Tom (Cheryl) Ferry of Harlan; sister-in-law Myrna (Bernie) Gundel of Fontanelle, IA; and brothers-in-law Dan Huff of Lindsay, CA and Jim Werner of Marshalltown, IA; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, May 12 at Irwin United Methodist Church in Irwin, Iowa. Rev. Keith Pals officiated the 11:00 AM service with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin. Serving as casket bearers were: Ben Puck, Rex Gochenour, Greg Hansen, Randy Halbur, Gary Odendahl, Denny Deters, Gary Knueven, and Charles Hansen.
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On June 13, 1970, Denny was united in marriage to Judy Werner in Carroll, Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Jason, Nathan and Jamie. After their marriage, they lived in Ames where Denny attended Iowa State University for two years. They lived in Manning before moving to a farm east of Irwin in 1972 where he raised hogs, cattle, beans and corn for over 30 years. During his farming years he was a salesman for Asgrow Seeds and for Archer Petroleum Products where he was currently the Shelby County Manager. He was a licensed real estate agent for Knueven R. E. & Insurance in Manning and for the past several years had been employed at Puck Custom Enterprises in Manning. He was a member of the IKM School Board where he was in his third term currently serving as board Vice President.
Denny was also involved with the Mid-America Council Boy Scouts of America volunteering for over twenty-five years mainly with IKM Troop 99, Ohwahnasee District and Camp Cedars. In 1994, he was named a National Scoutmaster of the year. Denny was an active member of the American Legion Post No. 22 of Manning having served as their Commander. In his younger days, he enjoyed playing softball with the Kirkman team and rugby with the Harlan team. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed showing his 1969 Z28 Camaro in auto shows. One of his lifelong dreams was to build his own house, which he completed in February, 2004 so he and his family could move in and enjoy.
In March 2006, Denny was diagnosed with brain cancer. He looked forward to the future and was never willing to give in, always working and spending time with his family and friends as much as he could. On April 28, Denny became a resident of Hospice House in Omaha where he passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2008 having attained the age of sixty years, eight months and eleven days.
Preceding Denny in death are his parents; son Nathan in infancy; brother Gary; sister Gloria Huff and parents-in-law Wilbur and Dorothy Werner. He is survived by his wife Judy of Irwin; children Jason (Chanie) Erb of Enid, OK; Jamie Erb of Omaha; one grandson Bodey Erb of Enid; siblings: Sharon (Richard) Monson of Harlan; Diana (Bill) Barton of Omaha; Roger (Carol) Erb of Harlan; stepmother Leona Erb of Harlan; stepsister Linda (Dennis) Wildner of Omaha; stepbrother Tom (Cheryl) Ferry of Harlan; sister-in-law Myrna (Bernie) Gundel of Fontanelle, IA; and brothers-in-law Dan Huff of Lindsay, CA and Jim Werner of Marshalltown, IA; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral Services were held on Monday, May 12 at Irwin United Methodist Church in Irwin, Iowa. Rev. Keith Pals officiated the 11:00 AM service with burial at Oak Hill Cemetery in Irwin. Serving as casket bearers were: Ben Puck, Rex Gochenour, Greg Hansen, Randy Halbur, Gary Odendahl, Denny Deters, Gary Knueven, and Charles Hansen.
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