Dennis Swenka

DENNIS SWENKA

Morse

Dennis Swenka, 73, of Morse, Iowa, passed away at home on Jan. 7, 2022, with his family by his side following a year-long battle with cancer.

A graveside service with military honors performed by the American Legion will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 12, at St. Bridgets Cemetery, Nolan Settlement, 2136 St. Bridgets Rd. NE, Solon, Iowa. The graveside service will be livestreamed and a link can be found at www.lensingfuneral.com. Due to COVID-19, his family hopes to have a Celebration of Life in the summer. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.

Dennis, one of Edward and Mary (Klima) Swenka's seven children, was born in Cedar Rapids on July 17, 1948. The family moved to Oxford, where he grew up, and helped run the family farm. After graduating from Clear Creek Community High School in 1966, Dennis joined the U.S. Army in 1968. He served primarily in South Korea and was honorably discharged in 1970 as a Spec/5 Sergeant.

After his service, he moved back to Iowa and married Milly Costolo in 1970. The couple had two sons, Ben and Chad, before later divorcing. Dennis and his current wife, Linda (Beeler) Brumley, married in October 2002, after 22 years together. Linda also had two children, Monica and Troy, from a previous marriage.

Although always a farmer, Dennis worked many jobs throughout his life including as a lineman at Northwestern Bell, Realtor and professional driver. He formally retired in 2014, but didn't stop farming until he physically couldn't.

He enjoyed going to "Coffee Club" with his closest friends, baling hay, being a member of the VFW and finding problems to solve around the farm. He was always very generous with his time, and loved helping and teaching others whenever he could.

Dennis was a devoted and supportive husband, a strong patriarch of his family and a loyal friend. He was above all proud of his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife, Linda Swenka; two sons, Ben Swenka, and his former spouse, (Weezie) and Chad (Amanda Hammond) Swenka, and his former spouse (Milly Swenka); two stepchildren, Monica (Mike) Reardon and Troy Brumley; nine grandchildren, Olivia, Ethan, Jack, Caleb, Alex, Brody, Pearl, Louis and Hugh; three sisters, Ardis (Dave) Sevcik, Becky (Robert) Kaefring and Carol Swartz; two brothers, Keever (Gloria) Swenka and Charles Swenka; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Mary (Klima) Swenka; and one brother, Glenn Swenka.

Online condolences and memories of Dennis can be shared with his family at www.lensingfuneral.com.