Elmer Eldon Denker
August 14, 1925 — February 3, 2022
Elmer Eldon Denker, son of Max and Pauline (Thomsen) Denker, was born on August 14, 1925, on a farm in Denison, Iowa. He was confirmed at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison, Iowa on March 17, 1940.
Elmer graduated from Denison High School in 1943. On August 20, 1945, he entered into the United States Army where he served in WWII and served as a military policeman in Korea. After being discharged from the United States Army on January 14, 1947, Elmer returned to Denison to farm.
On September 9, 1951, Elmer was united in marriage with Joyce (Rickert) Denker at the Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. To this union 8 children were born: Thomas, Diane, Timothy, Carolyn, Terry, Theresa, Richard, and Curtis.
Elmer was a hard working farmer until he retired at the age of 65. He was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church where he served as church usher and President of the Men’s Club. He was also School Director and a member of the Denison American Legion Post #8.
Elmer loved his family and enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events. He also enjoyed his bowling league, traveling, and visiting with friends and neighbors.
Elmer passed away Thursday, February 3, 2022, at the age of 96 years, 5 months, and 20 days. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his parents Max and Pauline Denker, his siblings Clarence Denker, Virgil Denker, Virgene Ahrenholtz, and Ruby Lorenzen.
Left to cherish his memory are his children Tom (Margaret) Denker of Manning, Iowa; Diane (David) Reisz of Denison, Iowa; Timothy Denker of Denison, Iowa; Carolyn (Steve) Vollstedt of Urbandale, Iowa; Terry (Rae Ellen) Denker of Omaha, Nebraska; Theresa (Jeff) Thompson of Papillion, Nebraska; Richard (Candi) Denker of Denison, Iowa; Curtis (Marchelle) of Sioux City, Iowa; grandchildren Adam (Colleen) Denker, Angela (Dale) Hargens, Andrea (Dan) Leitz, Alex (Katie) Denker, Cory (Molly) Reisz, Alisha (Joel) Jepsen, Stephanie Reisz, Brittany (Ben) Martin, Shelby Denker, Kyle (Lindsey) Vollstedt, Chad (Belinda) Vollstedt, Megan (Kyle) Schilling, Lindsey Denker, Samantha (Jon) Ott, Lucy Denker, Mallory (Jesse) VanGerven, Amy Donaldson, Laura (Jason) Ruggerio, Catherine Thomas, Elizabeth Thompson, Eric Donaldson, Jayden Denker, Caleb Denker, Paige (Ty) DeRocher, Jacob Denker; great-grandchildren Cole, Matthew, Austin, Allison, Miles, Carly, and McKenzie Denker; Emma, Owen, and Eryn Reisz; Tyler Satre, Gracie and Lily Jepsen; Jey Yackley; Kaiden and Alexa Vollstedt; Iyla, Stella, Malcolm, Decker, and June Vollstedt; Kylee Schilling; Eldon and SterlingVanGerven; Olivia and Jordan Ruggerio and Isabella Thomas.
Elmer graduated from Denison High School in 1943. On August 20, 1945, he entered into the United States Army where he served in WWII and served as a military policeman in Korea. After being discharged from the United States Army on January 14, 1947, Elmer returned to Denison to farm.
On September 9, 1951, Elmer was united in marriage with Joyce (Rickert) Denker at the Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. To this union 8 children were born: Thomas, Diane, Timothy, Carolyn, Terry, Theresa, Richard, and Curtis.
Elmer was a hard working farmer until he retired at the age of 65. He was an active member of the Zion Lutheran Church where he served as church usher and President of the Men’s Club. He was also School Director and a member of the Denison American Legion Post #8.
Elmer loved his family and enjoyed attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events. He also enjoyed his bowling league, traveling, and visiting with friends and neighbors.
Elmer passed away Thursday, February 3, 2022, at the age of 96 years, 5 months, and 20 days. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce, his parents Max and Pauline Denker, his siblings Clarence Denker, Virgil Denker, Virgene Ahrenholtz, and Ruby Lorenzen.
Left to cherish his memory are his children Tom (Margaret) Denker of Manning, Iowa; Diane (David) Reisz of Denison, Iowa; Timothy Denker of Denison, Iowa; Carolyn (Steve) Vollstedt of Urbandale, Iowa; Terry (Rae Ellen) Denker of Omaha, Nebraska; Theresa (Jeff) Thompson of Papillion, Nebraska; Richard (Candi) Denker of Denison, Iowa; Curtis (Marchelle) of Sioux City, Iowa; grandchildren Adam (Colleen) Denker, Angela (Dale) Hargens, Andrea (Dan) Leitz, Alex (Katie) Denker, Cory (Molly) Reisz, Alisha (Joel) Jepsen, Stephanie Reisz, Brittany (Ben) Martin, Shelby Denker, Kyle (Lindsey) Vollstedt, Chad (Belinda) Vollstedt, Megan (Kyle) Schilling, Lindsey Denker, Samantha (Jon) Ott, Lucy Denker, Mallory (Jesse) VanGerven, Amy Donaldson, Laura (Jason) Ruggerio, Catherine Thomas, Elizabeth Thompson, Eric Donaldson, Jayden Denker, Caleb Denker, Paige (Ty) DeRocher, Jacob Denker; great-grandchildren Cole, Matthew, Austin, Allison, Miles, Carly, and McKenzie Denker; Emma, Owen, and Eryn Reisz; Tyler Satre, Gracie and Lily Jepsen; Jey Yackley; Kaiden and Alexa Vollstedt; Iyla, Stella, Malcolm, Decker, and June Vollstedt; Kylee Schilling; Eldon and SterlingVanGerven; Olivia and Jordan Ruggerio and Isabella Thomas.
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