Douglas Wayne Denham

A visitation for Doug will be held Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM at Our Lady's Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 510 E 1st St, Ankeny, IA 50021. A Memorial Mass will occur Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM, at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 510 E 1st St, Ankeny, IA 50021. A time of food and fellowship will be held at the church immediately following the service. Douglas will be laid to rest with full military honors in Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, Iowa at a later date.

Douglas Wayne Denham was born on December 11, 1947, in Atlantic, Iowa to Wayne Burton and Marian Ruth (Beyers) Denham. He graduated from Cumberland and Massena High School in 1966. After high school, he continued his education at Iowa Western Community College in Clarinda, Iowa where he played baseball and basketball. Following that he went to Northwest Missouri State University where he received his Bachelor of Education. Doug received his Master’s degree from the University of Nebraska Omaha.

Doug was united in marriage to Mary “Kathy” Holste on September 20, 1969, in Lyman, Iowa at the United Church of Christ. There are three children to this union, Shaila, Chris and Katie. He joined the Iowa Army National Guard in September of 1972. He honorably retired at the rank of Colonel in October of 1999, after 27 years of service. Doug was a teacher and coach in Russell, Iowa at Russell Community Schools for 10 years. He then continued his teaching and coaching at Glenwood Community Schools until his retirement from teaching in 1998. Then he worked for a variety of companies creating course training for the military.

Doug enjoyed fishing, golfing, and watching ISU Football and Basketball. Most of all, he dearly loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. He was a member of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny.

Doug is preceded in death by his parents, Wayne and Ruth Denham and cousin, Tim Denham. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Kathy Denham; three children, Shaila (Joe) Leuschen, Chris (Wendi) Denham and Katie (Josh) Hansen; six grandchildren, Bailey (Ben) Bruck, Lauren (Patrick) Fah, Cale and Case Hansen, Ewan and Murron Denham; one great grandson, Colter Bruck; cousins, Kathy (Francis) Cullen, Deb (Fred) Wohlenhaus, and Tom (Janet) Denham and a host of nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and given to a charity of their choosing at a later date in loving memory of Doug.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.ankenyfuneralhome.com for the Denham family.