Dennis, Roland A. 1926-2012

DENNIS, SCHAINKER, MOORE, ARMSTRONG, HOGHAM, STONER, HAAS, HAMMOND, KELLER, HAND, JACOBS, DEAVER, BELIEU, ALLEN

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 3/30/2025 at 15:59:08

Roland Dennis
1926 - 2012
Ankeny, IA

Roland A. Dennis, 85, of Ankeny, passed away on Sunday, January 15, 2012 at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa. Funeral services will be held 2 p.m. at Memorial Services of Iowa Chapel in Ankeny (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd.)on Wednesday, January 18, with burial at a later date. A visitation will be held 12:30 to 2 p.m., also on Wednesday at the Chapel.

Roland was born August 28, 1926 to Willie A. and Lillian R. (Schainker) Dennis at the Fort Des Moines Army Post. He attended schools in south Des Moines and Junction City, Kansas graduating from Lincoln High in Des Moines in 1944.

Roland enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1944, served as an airplane mechanic in the South Pacific and was discharged in 1947. Soon after, he joined the Iowa Air National Guard where he worked until his retirement in 1981. Roland's career included active duty service during the Korean War when he was stationed in Bangor, Maine.

Roland and his first wife, Barbara Jean (Moore) were divorced in 1968. To that union, three children were born, Deborah Jean, William and Michael. In 1970, Roland married Barbara Jean (Armstrong). He adopted her two daughters, Judith and Carla to complete his family. Roland enjoyed airplanes and had many model kits under construction at all times. He also liked sailing, shooting and camping trips with his family.

Roland will be missed by Barbara, his wife of 42 years; his surviving sisters, Lillian Hougham of De Soto, KS and Betty Lou Stoner of Perry, IA.; children Deborah Jean Dennis (John Haas), Bill (Anne) Dennis, Michael Dennis (Peg Hammond), Judy (Doug) Keller, and Carla Dennis (Mike Hand); grandchildren Christopher Dennis (Emily Jacobs), Brian (Sarah) Dennis, Andrew Dennis, Matthew Dennis (Christie Deaver), Abigail Keller, Nicolas (Heather) Belieu, Stephanie Belieu and their father Steven Belieu; great-grandchildren Ashtin Allen Underwood and Sydney Marie Dennis.

He was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Raymond Dennis of Virginia.

Heartfelt thanks go to the medical team at Iowa Methodist, including Drs. J. Abassi, P. Nerheim and S. Beckwith, CCU nurses Sue and Ashley and the respiratory therapists. Their care and compassion meant so much.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Mayo Clinic in support of their cancer research and cardiac rehabilitation. Donate online at http://www.mayoclinic.org or by mail to Department of Development, Mayo Clinic, 200 First St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by the Des Moines (IA) Register on Jan. 17, 2012.