Dennis Duane Athey, 89 of Oelwein, Iowa died on Saturday February 29, 2020 at his home. Dennis was born on March 21, 1930, in Quamba, Minnesota son of Paul and Carolyn Athey. He married Pauline Elizabeth Theis on December 1, 1951, in Mora, Minnesota. Dennis went into the Navy and served from 1950 to 1954 during the Korean War. After returning home he was employed at Rath Packing Company, worked as a painter and was engaged in farming. He enjoyed frequent family trips to Canada, fishing, hunting, pitching horseshoes, golfing, playing cards , baking delicious pies and telling stories of his time growing up in Minnesota and his Navy life. He was a longtime member of St. John’s Lutheran Church and served on the Church Board of Elders, he was also a member of the Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552. Survivors include: three sons David (Dixie) of Waterloo, Ronald (Deb) of Oelwein, Michael (Dawn) of La Porte City and one daughter; Diane (Chris) Leeman of Tripoli. 14 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. Preceded in death by his wife Pauline, an infant daughter Danette, an infant son, Brian; Parents Paul and Carolyn Athey, brothers; Adrian and Daryl, three sisters; Naomi, Lorna and Maxine and a grandson, Adam Bartels.
Funeral Services: 10:30 am Friday, March 6, 2020 at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Fairbank.
Visitation: 4:00-7:00 pm Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Woods Funeral Home, Fairbank and from 9:30-10:30 am Friday at the church.
Military Rites: Fairbank American Legion Fortsch-Duffy Post 552.
Interment: Fairbank Cemetery.
Memorials: to St. John’s Lutheran Church or the Fairbank American Legion.
Condolences for Dennis D. Athey
Dear Dad, You always knew the right thing to say at the time it needed to be said, it was always right to the point, not a man of many words. I will miss our phone conversations on special days. I will miss your silly jokes & pranks. You are with Pauline now. I know you are happy and pain free. Many hugs & lots of love to my Athey family who always welcomed me. God will give you strength to deal with this loss. Celebrate Dad’s life. It was a good one.
Uncle Denny, I have so many memories of you that I will cherish always. I will miss the phone call on my birthday and you giving me a hard time about getting older. Enjoying your lovely pies and your jokes so many memories. I will love you always!!
Dennis worked with my father at Rath. My parents thought a great deal of him. My sympathy to the family.