Walter A. Dengler, Jr., 95, of Davenport, formerly of Eldridge, passed away on Friday, November 26, 2021 at Ridgecrest Village. Funeral service will be held on Monday, December 6th at 11am at Weerts Funeral Home. Visitation will be from 9:30am until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Walter’s name may be made to Ridgecrest, Hospice Compassus, or the Eldridge Volunteer Fire Department.
Walter was born on the family farm in rural Scott County, Iowa on February 5, 1926 to Walter and Mary (Keppy) Dengler. He attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Davenport Central High School in 1943. Following high school he went to work as a farm hand. On June 25, 1947, Walter was united in marriage to Elaine Clausen; she preceded him in death in 2000. In 2002, he was married to Phyllis Gooch; she preceded him in death in 2019.
Walter started farming on his own in 1948. He began with a herd of Purebread Guernsey cows from his father. The herd traced back to a herd his grandfather stared in 1905, including two Purebreads from the island of Guernsey in the English Channel. Walter served as president of the Iowa State Guernsey Association for three years. He also raised hogs and enjoyed showing both at fairs. He was a successful corn and soybean farmer and won several awards in district and state production contests. Walter served on the Board of Directors for the Eldridge Coop for many years.
In Walter’s early years, he enjoyed basketball on an independent team in the Eldridge area. He also enjoyed bowling and playing golf. He was a member of both a golf and bowling league in which he received several trophies, thanks to his team members! Throughout his adult life, he had a great love for playing card games and dancing.
Those left to honor his memory are his children: Wayne (Nancy) Dengler, Sharon (Victor) Bianchetta, Allan Dengler, and Cheryl (Dan) DiFonzo; son-in-law Mark Lund; grandchildren: Anthony (Holly) Bianchetta, Christopher (Kristina) Bianchetta, Christina (John) Barnes, Matthew Dengler, Abby (Ben) Longmore, Joanna (Joel) Carter; and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 53 years, Elaine, his second wife Phyllis, daughter Janis Lund, two great-grandchildren, siblings Dorothy Zwicker and Henry Dengler, and his parents.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left to the family by visiting his obituary at www.weertsfh.com
