Dennis Rollo Meisgeier

Dennis Rollo Meisgeier, 66, of Manchester, Iowa, passed away on Saturday, January 4, 2025, at his home surrounded by his family.  He was born in Manchester on August 8, 1958, the son of Rollo and Phyllis (Wendt) Meisgeier. He was raised in the Manchester area and attended West Delaware School District, graduating in 1976.  He went on to earn an associate degree in automotive technology from Lincoln Technical Institute in Des Moines.

In October of 1982 he married Kathy Maurer at Our Savior Lutheran Church in Manchester.  Dennis and Kathy continued to live, work, and raise their two children, in Manchester.

Dennis enjoyed nature and the outdoors.  Growing up he was a boy scout earning the rank of Eagle Scout and was a member of The Order of the Arrow.  He enjoyed tent camping as a younger man, especially in the winter months, but as he grew older, he much preferred the comforts of his RV!  He was an avid boater, spending many weekends with his family boating on the Mississippi and at various lakes around the Midwest. The Meisgeier family enjoyed attending ISU athletic events.  Dennis also enjoyed sitting around a campfire, hiking, working in his yard, bicycling, listening to his extensive music collection, going to concerts, and traveling around the country with his wife Kathy. But, most of all Dennis loved spending time with his family and cherished his grandchildren.

Dennis was a member of the Manchester Fire Department for 28 years, holding the offices of secretary, training captain, and chief.  He was also a certified state fire safety instructor; teaching firefighting classes and evaluating skills of firemen around the state. He was a long-time member of Our Savior Lutheran Church and served on the boards of lay ministry and buildings and grounds.  Dennis also served on the board of directors for Oakland Cemetery and as the cemetery manager.  He retired from Henderson Products in November 2023 where he worked in customer service as a replacement parts specialist. 

Dennis is survived by his wife Kathy of 42 years; his son Nathan (Melissa) Meisgeier of Fort Dodge; daughter Taylor (Primo) Martinez of El Paso, Texas; grandchildren Kathryn, Madelyn, Jocelyn, and Luca; brothers Jerry (Connie) Meisgeier of Traer, and Jim (Carol) Meisgeier, mother-in-law Gail Maurer, brother-in-law Curt (Mary) Maurer all of Manchester; sister-in-law Karen Collins of Urbandale, and many nieces and nephews.  He is preceded in death by his parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, and father-in-law.

The Meisgeier family would like to thank members of Dennis’s medical team, including staff from Regional Medical Center and Care Initiatives Hospice in Manchester, Hall-Perrine Cancer Center in Cedar Rapids, and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.  Their work and dedication allowed Dennis to live nearly 14 months longer than was expected. From the time of Dennis’s diagnosis of cancer until the day he passed almost 3 years later, his family’s focus was to build memories and make every remaining day of Dennis’s life count. 

A general memorial fund will be set up in honor of Dennis that will help others Make the Day Count. Memorials in his memory may be directed to the family.

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