James Stephen Denning, 98, of Houghton, Iowa, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 8, 2022, at Savannah Heights Care Center in Mount Pleasant, Iowa.
He was born on August 3, 1924, at Sacred Heart Hospital in Fort Madison, the son of Joe and Nellie (Freesmeier) Denning. On April 3, 1945, he married Majorie Stenger in Fort Madison. Together, they had three children: Tim, Monica and Mike. Marjorie passed away in 1950 shortly after the birth of their son, Mike. The following year, Jim married Marjorie’s sister, Eileen Stenger, on April 7, 1951 and they had seven children.
Jim is survived by seven children: Tim (Sharon) Denning of Houghton, Monica Gallagher of Schaumburg, Illinois, Mike (Sally) Denning of Houghton, Marilyn (Glen) Starkey of Mount Pleasant, Linda (Sam) Baxter of Fort Madison, Sam (Kim) Denning of Spring Hill, Kansas and Philip (Jackie) Denning of Houghton; daughter-in-law: Patsy Kruse of Houghton; twenty-nine grandchildren; fifty-one great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; sisters: Phyllis (Paul) Steffensmeier of Donnellson and Sister Jane Denning of Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi Convent in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Also surviving are many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wives: Marjorie and Eileen; two daughters: Dianne Denning and Pat Sallee; son: David Denning; granddaughter: Darcy Denning; great granddaughter: Abby Denning; parents: Joe and Nellie Denning; brother: Reverend Jack Denning; sisters: Ruth (Pete) Mertens and Laverne (Vernon) Coffey.
Jim graduated from Saint John’s School in Houghton and was a dairy farmer for many years. He was a member of Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Houghton and a charter member of the Houghton Knights of Columbus, where he was a past Grand Knight. He also was a 4th Degree member of Gallitzin Assembly 0278 of Fort Madison. In his retirement, Jim enjoyed visits with his children and grandchildren and especially enjoyed sitting on his front porch greeting neighbors and friends.
Visitation will begin at 12:00 noon, Thursday, August 18, 2022, at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Houghton, where the family will receive friends at 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. A parish rosary will be recited at 4:00 p.m. and a Christian wake service will be held at 6:00 p.m. at the church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, August 19, 2022, at Saint John’s Catholic Church in Houghton with Father Dan Dorau as celebrant.
Burial will be at Saint John’s Cemetery, Houghton.
In Lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in his memory to Holy Trinity Catholic Schools, Saint John’s Catholic Church or the Houghton Knights of Columbus.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.schmitzfuneralhomes.com Schmitz Funeral Home of West Point is assisting the family with arrangements.
