Deryl Hennings

Deryl Harvey Hennings was born on December 13, 1939, to Harvey and Esther (Meseck) Hennings near Ute, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute, where he remained an active, faithful, and lifelong member, even serving as an elder.

Deryl attended country school south of Ute for his elementary education, continued at St. Paul Lutheran for middle school, and graduated from Ute High School with the Class of 1958. Following his education, he enlisted in the Iowa Army National Guard and proudly served until his honorable discharge.

On March 6, 1971, Deryl was united in marriage to Joan Newland at Zion Lutheran Church in Denison. They were blessed with five children: Julie, Mary, Eric, Kevin, and Sara. A dedicated and hardworking man, Deryl began farming at the young age of 11 and went on to cultivate many acres throughout Monona County. Alongside his farming career, he was deeply involved in his community. He served on the Ute Ambulance Service, was a board member of Eventide Lutheran Home, and took great joy in collecting Ute-specific memorabilia, proudly displaying his collection in what he fondly called his “museum”.

Deryl could always be counted on to lend a helping hand around town. He volunteered for numerous community activities, including Ute Fun Days and helping put up Christmas decorations each year. In his free time, Deryl enjoyed going on car cruises with collector car groups and cherished every opportunity to make memories with family and friends.

Deryl passed away on Friday, October 17, 2025, at the Denison Care Center at the age of 85 years, ten months and four days. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Warren Hennings; brothers-in-law, Barney Barnett and Ron Rude.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Hennings of Ute; children: Julie (Joe) Nower of Decatur, Indiana, Mary (Shannon) LeFave of Hebron, Nebraska, Eric (Miranda) Hennings of Denison, Kevin (Ginger) Hennings of Altoona and Sara (Chuckie) Purcell of Whiting; 21 grandchildren: Shelby, Samantha, William, Grace, Aidan, Caitlin (Logan), Riley, Jayden, D’laynee, AJ, Shane, Gavin, Keivin, Duncan, Maggie, Tregan, Jordan, Lily, Ryan, Parker and Kendyl; great-grandchildren: Baylor and Watson; sisters, Gloria Barnett of Ute and Cinda Rude of Ankeny; sister-in-law, Eileen Hennings of Ricketts; and many other family members and friends.

Visitation with family greeting friends will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. with a Funeral Service to begin at 2:00 p.m., all on Monday, October 20, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ute. Interment with Military Honors will follow in St. Clair Cemetery in Ute. Memorials may be directed to Camp Okoboji in Deryl’s honor.