Dennis “Denny” Kjarland, 75, of Zearing, Iowa, passed away on Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at Mary Greeley Medical Center in Ames, Iowa. A celebration of life service was held on Sunday, January 13, 2019, from 1-4 p.m at Dakins Community Center in Zearing. A private family burial was held in the Lincoln Township Cemetery in Zearing.
Denny was born in Winona, Minn., on March 13, 1943, to Lloyd and Esther (Rude) Kjarland. He was raised in Harmony, Minn., where his parents ran the local restaurant Silver Grill. He attended Harmony High School where he played football. He started three years and they were undefeated all three years, of which one year no opponent ever scored on them. Denny was the homecoming king and graduated with the class of 1961. Following school, he went to college until he decided to join the Navy. He honorably served during the Vietnam Conflict as a Seabee from 1963-1967. Once returning home he and his military buddy Bobby Wickham traveled to Iowa on their way to California. While in Iowa he met Nina Golly; the couple married on June 29, 1968, and Denny remained in Zearing. Denny worked for Minerva Valley Telephone Company in Zearing before managing the Radcliffe Telephone Company. He later took a job with Krysilis and worked for them until he retired in 2009. In retirement Denny began working for Indian Creek Country Club in Nevada, Iowa.
Denny was a member of the McCallsburg American Legion Post #493 and served on the Zearing Fire Department as a volunteer fireman and EMT. He was very active and love to spend time with family and friends, playing golf, fishing, camping, eating breakfast, woodworking, and watching the Cyclones.
Those left to cherish his loving memory are his wife Nina Kjarland of Zearing, Iowa; daughter Mikka (David) Belding of Charleston, S.C.; sister Mavis Kjarland of Pepin, Wis.; mother-in-law Virginia Golly of Zearing, Iowa; two step-grandsons, Matthew Belding and T.W. (Lauren) Baker and their son Daylin; nieces Stacey (Kurt) Ingli and Sarah (Mark) Van Uden; nephew David Eskelson, two great-nieces, three great-nephews, and many other relatives and close friends.
Denny was preceded in death by his parents, son Bryce, and father-in-law Marvin Golly.
Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.
Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care, in Zearing, was entrusted with the care of Denny and his family.