In loving memory of

Dennis "Denny" LeRoy Berry
May 7, 1943 - July 17, 2020

Dennis "Denny" LeRoy Berry, 77, of Cedar Rapids and formerly of Baxter, Iowa passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, July 17, 2020. A memorial visitation will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2020 from 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Restland Cemetery in Baxter, Iowa. A graveside service will follow visitation and will begin at 11:00 a.m. Please wear a mask. Burial will follow in Restland Cemetery in Baxter, Iowa. A celebration of life service will be held at a later date in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

Denny was born on May 7, 1943 to Arthur and Deloris (Halter) Berry. He grew up in Baxter on the family farm and graduated from Baxter High School with the class of 1961. He shared many fond memories of his classmates, on and off the field. He excelled in sports, and was inducted into the Baxter Hall of Fame in 2013. (Go Bulldogs!) Following school, Denny joined the Air Force and was stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana. After serving his country he returned to Iowa and married Rosalie (Postma) Berry and eventually settled down in Baxter with their children Shelley, Scott, DeAnn and Dana. He loved working as a heavy equipment operator and was a member of the IUOE Local 234 Union. He worked in several different states; Texas, Nebraska, Arkansas, Florida, Minnesota, and Iowa, however, he never missed the opportunity to drive up Main Street to see what was going on uptown. There was never a place he would go where we didn't run into someone that he knew. Big machinery and moving dirt was a lifelong passion as he worked for McAninch Corporation and Fagan Corporation for over 40 years. Denny married Arlene Bell in 1984 and became a stepfather to Julie and Victor. The couple resided in Cedar Rapids. He loved sports, fishing, coon hunting, coyote hunting, going to auctions with Arlene, family reunions, having a cold one with his friends, and was up for an adventure-anytime, anyplace. He raised coon hounds and had his favorites, Queenie and Hunter. He loved telling stories about his favorite football games, his softball days, his time in Montana playing ball, and so much more. His welcoming smile and kind hearted teasing will be missed by us all.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 36 years Arlene Berry; children Shelley (Mark) Carson, DeAnn (Doug) Bishop, Dana (Bryan) Bucklin, and Victor (Kelly) Jacobs; grandchildren Joseph, Sarah, Rachel, Bailey, Kaitlin, Nate, Mason, Nolan, April, Brian, Philip, and Megan; several great-grandchildren; sisters Jeanette (Jim) Holland and LuAnn Mihelich; many nieces, nephews, and close friends.

Denny was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jan Berry, son Scott Berry, and daughter Julie Jacobs, and his brother in laws, Jerry Bell, Larry Bell, and Garry Bell.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care, PO Box 86, Baxter, Iowa, 50028.

Special thanks to the Grinnell and Cedar Rapids Unity Point Hospice employees.

Fredregill Funeral & Cremation Care has been entrusted with the care of Denny and his family.

Tributes

(SGT) Gary Dulaney wrote on Sep 25, 2020:

"Was stationed with Dennis at Malmstrom AFB, MT. I was in the 341st Supply Squadron, Dennis worked in POL. Those were good days, Dennis and I played on the same squadron basketball team in the '60's. We would run into each other on occasion while out for a good time in Great Falls. Had a great personality and was fun to be around!"

Ginny Bell wrote on Jul 25, 2020:

"My deepest sympathy to the Berry and Bell Families Bear (as we lovingly called him) will be missed. He was my brother in-law and loved to joke, we were both cub fans and shared some times watching the game when I would visit at their house..RIP Bear you will be missed!"

John Bell wrote on Jul 24, 2020:

"To the Berry and Bell family, our deepest sympathy to you all, a truly fascinating man, I truly enjoyed any time I was able to spend with ?Uncle Bear? as the Bell family in Chicago remember him, we would always talk sports and share a cold one or 2 truly enjoyed our visits when we were in the Iowa area and will cherish those fond memories. RIP Bear, Johnnie from Chicago"

Joyce Hornbaker wrote on Jul 24, 2020:

"Joyce Hornbaker My deepest thoughts and prayers to all, Coookie, Vic, Kelly, DeAnn, and Dana and to all of your families. Heaven has welcomed a great huggable angel. He will be truly missed. Love to all"

Carol Bell Barton Barbour wrote on Jul 23, 2020:

"Cookie and all the family, It is with deepest condolences for your loss. Dennis is at peace in heaven. Love, James & Carol (Bell) Barbour"

Victor, Kelly, Mason & Nolan Jacobs wrote on Jul 23, 2020:

"Dana and DeAnn, we are so sorry for the loss of your dad. He was a great guy and he will always be in our hearts forever! "

Jan Hill Deckard wrote on Jul 19, 2020:

"Comforting thoughts to the Berry family knowing Denny is at peace. He was definitely a good guy "

Tim and Vivian Leonard-Grimes Iowa wrote on Jul 19, 2020:

"Deanne and Family, So sorry for the loss of your Father. Viv and I send our Love and Hugs to you all. May God Bless you and bring you Peace and Comfort during this sad difficult time."

Bonnie Vanwardhuizen wrote on Jul 18, 2020:

"Sorry about your dad Dana thinking of you and Bryan and your family, he's at peace now "

Ira United Church wrote on Jul 18, 2020:

"Our prayers and sympathies are extended to the friends and family of Denny Berry."

Dixie Dawson wrote on Jul 18, 2020:

"Dana and family. So very sorry for the loss of your dad."