Dennis E. "Smiley" Dencklau

March 14, 1931 - February 1, 2020

Dennis E. “Smiley” Dencklau, 88, of Fort Dodge, died Saturday, February 1, 2020, at the Paula J. Baber Hospice Home. A service honoring Dennis’ life will be 10:00 a.m. Thursday, February 6, at the Gunderson Funeral Chapel with the Rev. Gary Snook officiating. Interment will follow at Colfax Township Cemetery. Visitation is 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services. Memorials may be directed to the discretion of the family. Dennis is survived by his son Leo (Renee) Dencklau, Fort Dodge; grandchildren, Alisa (Andy) Schlief; and Luke (Angela) Dencklau; great grandchildren, Dalton Dencklau, Braxtyn Dencklau, Rian Schlief, Jaxson Dencklau, Paxtyn Dencklau and Nixson Dencklau; and a brother Gerald Dencklau, Fort Dodge. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Emma Jean, two brothers, Francis and Leo, and his sister Luella Hinderks. Dennis Edmund Dencklau, the son of Edmund J. and Elfrieda K. (Knigge) Dencklau, was born May 14, 1931, on the family farm near Vincent. He attended Colfax Township School. On July 8, 1951, Dennis was united in marriage to Emma Jean Brockman at Duncombe. Dennis was employed with Hormel’s for 33 years. He worked in janitorial service for 13 years, helped many area farmers and also worked for Mike Fawcett Painting. Dennis enjoyed fishing, gardening and keeping his lawn immaculate. He especially treasured time spent with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.