Wayne A. DANKER, D.V.M.

DANKER, CHERVENY, SOTEBEER, JENSEN, BANKS, MILLER, LOPP, OWENS

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:48

March 25, 1925 --- November 8, 2019

Dr. Wayne A. Danker of Sun City West, Arizona passed away on November 8, 2019 at 94 years of age. Wayne was born near Traer, Iowa on March 25, 1925 to William J. and Agnes (Cherveny) Danker. He attended the Traer Schools and graduated in 1943. During World War II, Wayne enlisted in the Army Air Force, serving aboard B-17's and B-29's.

Wayne enrolled at Iowa State College in 1946 and graduated in 1952 with a degree in Veterinary Medicine. While attending Iowa State, Wayne met Myrlane (Lanie) Sotebeer, the love of his life, and on June 21, 1952 they were married in Waseca, Minnesota.

Together they started a large animal Veterinary practice in Dows, Iowa and served the farmers in Wright and Franklin counties for about 30 years. Wayne was very involved in community activities, including serving on the local school board, with the local Lutheran Church, Lions Club, and American Legion. He was active with all of their children's school activities. In 1979 Wayne left general practice to work with the State Veterinarians office in Clear Lake, Iowa.

Wayne and Lanie retired to Sun City West, Arizona in 1993. Wayne served in many roles for Lord of Life Lutheran Church, including serving as head usher for 18 years and was an active member of the Lions club. He was a member of the American Legion for over 70 years and was a member of the Honor Guard of Legion Post # 94 in Sun City West. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge for over 60 years.

Wayne was an Honor Member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, was a Life Member of the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association, a member of the Order of the Knoll at Iowa State University and was a life member of the ISU Alumni Association. He received the Melvin Jones Fellow award from Lions International.

Wayne is survived by four Children, Tom (Betty) of Oro Valley, Arizona, Steven (Julie) of Shorewood, Minnesota, Joan (Nels) Jensen of Brentwood, Tennessee and Carol (John) Banks of Avon, Connecticut, 9 grandchildren, Jennifer (Ryan) Miller, Garrett (Chantele}, David (Danika), Ben, and Patrick Danker, Kerri (Johnathan) Lopp and Paul Jensen, Jessie and Meredith Banks, 4 great Grandchildren, Evie, Theo and Eliza Danker and Ethan Miller, He was preceded in death by his wife Lanie, his parents and brother, William Danker, Jr. and sister Ruth Ann Owens.

Wayne was a good husband, father, grandfather and a friend to many.

A Funeral Service will be held at Lord of Life Lutheran Church in Sun City West on November 24, 2019. The body will be cremated and laid to rest at the columbarium at the church.

Mason City Globe Gazette -- Mason City, Iowa
November 17, 2019

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Arizona Post 94 Member Achieves 70 yrs of continuous membership
Sun City West, AZ

June 7, 2017

Wayne A. Danker, affectionately known as “Doc,” was recognized at the May Post 94 Mary Ellen Piotrowski meeting for his 70 plus years of continuous service in The American Legion.
“Doc” joined the Army Air Corps in 1943 and was trained as a radio operator in Sioux Falls, SD and a gunner on the B17 flying fortress. He went to Yuma, AZ for gunnery school and his first ride in the B17.

He was shuffled around to various air bases in the USA, finally winding up at Tyndall Air Base in Panama City, Florida. While there, he and his crew were transitioned to the newest bomber: the B29. Doc says: “I liked the B17 much better but at high altitude, flying in the B29 was better.

“As soon as my military service was over, my father, a WWI veteran and my mom, a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, marched me to the local American Legion Post and made me a member.”

In his 70 years of continuous service, Doc was a member of only three posts. Doc transferred to Post 94 upon retirement. “Doc’s” last elected position was Post Senior Vice Commander and he is part of the Honor Guard.

After his military service, he received his degree in veterinarian medicine at Iowa State University and was a veterinarian for over 40 yrs. He is an honored member of the American Veterinary Association.

Doc met his wife, Lanie in 1952 at Iowa State University. They were married for 62-1/2 years and they have two boys and two girls, nine grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

“After high school, I joined the Army and if I had not done that I do not know what would have become of me because I was a rather cocky kid. The army helped me to become responsible and was my apprenticeship into manhood.”

http://www.legiontown.org/other/4209/arizona-post-94-member-achieves-70-yrs-continuous-membership