Denny A. McDonnell

Denny A. McDonnell

Cedar Rapids

Denny A. McDonnell, 63, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023. A visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at The Legacy Center at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Cedar Rapids. A memorial service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at the funeral home.

Denny was born Nov. 1, 1960, in Cedar Rapids, the son of John “Jack” and Evelyn (Huffman) McDonnell. He graduated from Kennedy High School, Class of 1979. Denny went on to attend the University of Northern Iowa, where he obtained his bachelor's degree in therapeutic recreation. He was united in marriage to Lynnette Grimm on April 11, 1987, in Cedar Rapids. Denny worked for 37 years as Direct Support Staff at Options of Linn County. He was an avid cyclist and enjoyed working out. Denny was a diehard fan of the Chicago Blackhawks, Chicago Bears, and Iowa Hawkeyes. He loved traveling, Mexican food and, above all else, spending time with his family. Denny was a funny, easygoing, genuinely good man. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Denny is survived and lovingly remembered by his wife of 36 years, Lynnette McDonnell of Cedar Rapids; son, Jacob McDonnell of Littleton, Colo., daughter, Jennifer Lyn McDonnell (Tyler) of Lakewood, Colo.; siblings, Bob (Rhonda) McDonnell of Loveland, Colo., Mike (Rosanne) McDonnell of Ft. Collins, Colo., Kathy McDonnell of Cedar Rapids, Steve (Becky) McDonnell of Des Moines, Iowa, and Joy (Gary) Ryan of Hiawatha, Iowa; mother-in-law, Donna Grimm of Cedar Rapids; brother-in-law, Bennie L. Grimm of Cedar Rapids; sister-in-law, Tammie Grimm of Dubuque, Iowa; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Evelyn McDonnell; and father-in-law, Bennie W. Grimm.

A memorial fund in Denny’s name has been established.

Please share a memory of Denny at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.