Dennis Brown

Dennis Kier “DK” Brown, 78 a resident of Bettendorf, Iowa died on Sunday, September 7, 2014 at his home surrounded by his beloved family after a long and courageous battle with cancer.

A service to celebrate his life will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Thursday, September 11, 2014 at the McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Chapel in Bettendorf.  He will laid to rest at the Rock Island National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.  Visitation will be from 4:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Wednesday at the funeral home.

He was born September 27th 1935 in Lincoln, Nebraska, the third son born to Harry H. & Flora D. (Wait) Brown.  Denny’s father was transferred with Case Co. to Bettendorf when Denny was in the 7th grade.  One of his classmates was Phyllis Kinney, whom he would later marry on January 14th, 1956.

In high school, Denny played football on Bettendorf High School’s first football team.  Both Phyllis and Denny graduated high school in 1953.  Three months later, Denny enlisted in the Marine Corps where he served for 3 years, receiving his honorable discharge in 1956.  After marrying Phyllis, Denny went to work for Iowa Gas and Electric Co. for 7 years, then becoming an electrician at Alcoa for 32 years.  He was also president of the 1379 Electricians Union until retiring in 1995.

Denny had many interests, including reading, doing crossword puzzles, talking politics, and working in his garage where he tinkered with a little of everything.   He particularly enjoyed working with wood and created many beautiful pieces of furniture. Above all, Denny loved being with his family and friends, enjoying get togethers and celebrations and making it to just about every sporting event his grandchildren took part in.  He was a life-long Bettendorf Bulldog Fan and recently became a North Scott Lancer fan as well.

Denny very much enjoyed watching both his four children and his ten grandchildren learn and grow, he loved their company.  He loved to be with his wife, Phyllis as well, they were married for 58 of the happiest years imaginable.

He is survived by his loving wife Phyllis; his children and their spouses, Mike Brown, Mark Brown, Tim (Karen) Brown, and Debra (Andy) Neyrinck, all of Bettendorf; his grandchildren, Mitchell and Morgan Brown, Cameron, Conner, and Carter Brown, Kier and Kiel Brown, and Kelsey, Katie, and Brady Neyrinck, all of Bettendorf; his brother, Don (Mary June) Brown & family of  Bettendorf; his sisters-in-law, Edie Brown & family of Bettendorf; Chris & Jim Wulf & family of Davenport, Iowa; and Billie Baptiste & family of Ventura, California.

Preceding him in death were his mother Flora and father Harry Brown, his brother Doug Brown, and his mother and father-in-law Doris and Henry Nelson.

Thank you so much to all the doctors and nurses who helped our family along the way. A very special thank you to Heartland Hospice, Dr. Constantinou and Tami Davis, R.N. for their compassionate and professional care.

In lieu of flowers, memorials and donations may be made to the University of Iowa’s Liver and Transplant Clinic or the University of Iowa’s Pediatric Oncology Clinic.