Dennis Ford

Dennis Ford passed away May 18, at the Greene County Medical Center in Jefferson. He was 76 years of age. Per his wishes, no services are planned at this time. A Celebration of Life will be held in the near future. Memorials are suggested to the American Lung Association or the American Cancer Society.

Dennis Kinnick Ford was born December 1, 1938 at Carroll.  He was the son of Lillian Kinnick Ford and Delbert Ford. Dennis graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1957. Through his high school years, he participated in 4-H and FFA. Dennis attended Buena Vista College in Storm Lake, studying accounting and business.

On August 28, 1960, Dennis was united in marriage to Sandy Fagan at the Glidden Methodist Church. The couple farmed around Coon Rapids for a time, then farmed south of Glidden for ten years, where they also had a small dairy herd. They lived near Dunbar Slough for a few years and then moved to Lake View, and then back to Coon Rapids. In 1973 they made their home in Jefferson where Dennis remained for the rest of his life.

Dennis worked as a welder at Parker’s Manufacturing in Jefferson, and then worked for 24 years in building maintenance and engineering for the Jefferson Scranton School District. He retired in November 2000.

Together, Dennis and Sandy mowed lawns and did snow removal in the Jefferson community for over 30 years. Dennis enjoyed playing cards and was an avid reader of western books. He belonged to First United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and was head usher for many years. Dennis volunteered throughout the community by delivering congregate meals, working for the Food Pantry, Greene County Medical Center Auxiliary, and securing  hosts for the seasonal operation of the Mahaney Bell Tower.

Dennis was a member of Morning Star Lodge #159 A.F. & A.M. (Masons), Za-Ga-Zig Shrine, and the Odd Fellows Lodge. He loved being around people.  Camaraderie and service to others was important to him.

urviving are his wife, Sandy Ford of Jefferson; three children: Jeff (Terri) Ford of Jefferson; Deborah (Don) Wills of Jefferson, and Gene (Greg Lacey) Ford of Des Moines; five grandchildren: Jennifer (Brent) Oakes of Paton; James (Mindy) Ford of Jefferson; Josh (Jessica Wolf) Ford of Jefferson; Megan Vaughan of Jefferson, and Jada Lacey of Des Moines; six great-grandchildren; other relatives and friends.

Slininger-Rossow Funeral Home, www.sliningerrossowfuneralhome.com, 515-386-2171.