Robert L. "Speed" Dahnke 1923-2003

HENDERSON

Posted By: Michael (email)
Date: 12/15/2003 at 14:45:29

Robert L. ‘Speed” Dahnke, 80, of 1 Apollo Place, died Saturday, December 13, 2003 at Mercy Hospital following a brief illness.

Born in Oxford, Iowa on August 11, 1923 he was the son of George and Beulah Henderson Dahnke. He was married to the late Edith Evans. In September 1975 he married Rosemary Roskup.

Speed and his family moved to Iowa City from Oxford in 1951. He owned and operated Speed’s Tavern in Iowa City for many years. His business was first located at the corner of Dubuque and Burlington Streets, then moved to Gilbert Street where the Sanctuary is now located. Later the business moved to the present sight of Fitzpatrick’s.

Speed was a longtime member of the Iowa City Moose Lodge, where he had bartended for 20 years. He had also worked at Sears and at the Coralville K Mart as a greeter. Presently he was working at Cub Foods.

Speed was a people person who never forgot a face. He was well known for his pleasant smile and cheerful disposition. Dancing, antiques, antique cars and fishing were some of his favorite pastimes. During the 1950’s Speed and his family enjoyed weekends at their cabin on Lake Delhi.

He is survived by his wife Rosemary of Iowa City
One Son; Bob Dahnke and his wife Cindi of North Liberty
Eight stepchildren including John Jones and his wife Carole of Coralville
Sandy Stephenson and her husband Daryl and Dale Jones and his wife Shiloh, both of Iowa City
Three grandchildren; Rob, Ron and Rachelle.
Six great grandchildren
Four Brothers; Doc Dahnke of Coralville, Lyle Dahnke and his wife Joann, Kenny Dahnke and his wife Grace, Jack Dahnke and his wife Susan, all of Muscatine. Five Sisters; Betty Bartholomew and Virginia Poggenpohl, both of Iowa City, Delores Curtis and her husband Gene and Diane Littrel and her husband John, both of Muscatine, and Ramona McCleary and her husband Richard of Milan, Illinois.

Speed was preceded in death by his parents, one daughter Rita Hobbs Williams and two brothers Dale and Bill.