Dennis Lee Waskow

Dennis Lee Waskow, 72, of Marion, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 3, 2018, at St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids. Dennis was born on January 5, 1945, in Oelwein, the son of LeRoy and Gerda (Lehs) Waskow.

Dennis was raised in the Arlington area and graduated from Arlington High School in 1962. He served honorably in the Army National Guard from 1964 to 1970. On September 5, 1970, he married Cindy Schmitt at St. John Lutheran Church in Arlington. Three children were born to this union. The couple resided in Arlington for 30 years.

Dennis worked as a sprinkler fitter for Viking Fire Protection and Aquarius Sprinkler Company, Inc. both in Marion until 1999.  He then worked at Iowa Fire Protection and retired in 2000.  In 2001, Dennis and Cindy moved to Manchester for 15 years and made many new friends there. For the past two years, the couple has lived in Marion.

Dennis was a member of First Lutheran Church in Manchester. He was a 50 year member of Local Union 669 Sprinkler Fitters and a past member of the Arlington American Legion. Dennis enjoyed tinkering in his workshop, traveling to Arizona, and spending time with his family. He especially loved helping his family and attending his children’s and grandchildren’s events.  Dennis was an avid Hawkeye fan.  Prior to his illness, Dennis was able to enjoy 15 years of retirement.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Cindy Waskow of Marion; his three children, Chad (Erin) Waskow of Coggon, Brent (Mindy) Waskow of Cedar Falls, and Heather (Jeremy) Griffith of Marion; nine grandchildren, Courtney Meade, Alex, Adam, and Elle Waskow, Lauren and Birklie Waskow, and Kaiden, Jaryn, and Brooks Griffith; three sisters, Marlene (Richard) Bucholtz of Blaine, Minnesota, Delores (Harold) Burrack of Suring, Wisconsin, and Lenore (Ray) Trachta of Green Acres, Washington; his mother-in-law, Wilma Schmitt of Edgewood; brother-in-law, Kevin (Karen) Schmitt of Solon; and a sister-in-law, Linda Schmitt of Wadena.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Erwin, Ronald, and Paul Waskow; his father-in-law, Clarence Schmitt; and a brother-in-law, Bryan Schmitt.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Unity Point Hospice or ALS Research.

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