Dennison, Lorren Hatch

Lorren Hatch Dennison, 83, of Central City, died Friday, March 8, 2013, in Trinity Center at Luther Park in Des Moines. Visitation will be 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 12, followed by the funeral service at 11 a.m., at the United Church of Christ in Central City. Burial will be at Mount Clark Cemetery, Central City.

Lorren was born July 20, 1929, in Central City to Lorren and Beulah (Hatch) Dennison. He was a 1947 graduate of Central City High School and earned a B.A. in education from Iowa State Teachers College (UNI) in 1950, with majors in math and biology. In college he was a member of the Tri-Beta biology club. He served in the National Guard and Air Force during the Korean conflict.

On Aug. 20, 1949, he married Frances M. Haynes of Sabula, Iowa. They built their home near Central City and raised two boys and a girl. He was the third generation to own the Dennison Insurance Agency, retiring in 1992. He and Frances continued their tax preparation service for another 10 years.

Lorren was active in the American Legion, Knights of Pythias, the United Church of Christ and was an assistant Boy Scout leader in the 1960s and ‘70s. He and Frances loved bicycling and completed 17 RAGBRAI's as well as many other rides across the Midwest. He also enjoyed gardening, beekeeping, reading, and music. For the past 12 years he battled Parkinson's disease.

Survivors include his wife, Frances; two sons, Stephen of Cedar Rapids and Russell of Rochester, Minn.; one daughter, Erin (Tom) Hefner of Urbandale, Iowa; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one sister, who died in infancy.

Memorials may be made to the United Church of Christ in Central City or the Boy Scouts of America, Hawkeye Area Council.

Arrangements are with Murdoch Funeral Home in Central City. Please sign the online guest book for Lorren at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.

Published March 10, 2013 in The Gazette