Dennis Paul Lensch, 79, of Ankeny, Iowa, went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Friday, October 16, 2026.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m., Friday, October 23, 2026, at St. Paul Lutheran Church (1100 SE Sharon Drive, Ankeny, IA). Interment will be held at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, October 24, 2026, at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Cemetery (7176 32nd Avenue, Atkins, IA) followed by a worship service at 11:30 a.m. at St. Stephen’s Lutheran Church (311 3rd Avenue, Atkins, IA).

Dennis was born on October 26, 1946, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, to Charles and Doris (nee Schlotterback) Lensch. He graduated from Norway High School in 1964 and went on to serve four years in the United States Air Force.

Dennis married Jolene (nee Rinderknecht) on August 29, 1970. Together, they built a life centered on family, hard work, shared adventures, and the people they loved. They welcomed their son, Chad, in 1972, and their daughter, Anna, in 1975. In 1988, their family grew to include Uli Lorenz, their foreign exchange student son, with whom Dennis maintained a loving and lasting relationship.

Denny devoted 39 years to a career as an air traffic controller, working in North Dakota, South Dakota, Hawaii, and Iowa. His career reflected the same dedication and strong work ethic that defined so much of his life. A farm boy at heart, Denny was never one to sit still. Even while working all shifts, he kept up with household chores, maintained a beautiful lawn, and made sure the vehicles kept running.

A man of many interests, Denny had a deep passion for music. His tastes ranged from bluegrass and country to heavy metal and world music, and he especially enjoyed creating CDs filled with his favorite musical mixes to share with friends and family. He also enjoyed woodworking, making birdhouses, cutting boards and CD holders for others. He loved fishing and hunting, traveling with Jo, friends, and family, and exploring places around the world. In more recent years, he developed a particular appreciation for collecting and enjoying bourbon, adding to his longstanding enjoyment of wine.

Above all, Dennis loved Jesus. His faith was the important part of his life and a foundation for the values he carried with him.

Denny will be remembered for his humor, his laughter, and his generous spirit. He loved a good joke and had a remarkable ability to make people laugh. He was always willing to help someone in need and was the kind of person who would give the shirt off his back to a stranger. Among family and friends, he was famously known as “The Duck,” thanks to his outstanding Donald Duck impression—a talent that was second to none and sure to bring a smile to those who knew him.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Jolene; his children, Chad (Cindy) Lensch and Anna (Matt) Haber; his brother, David; and his extended family and friends. He loved being “Papa” to his grandchildren Allie, Ava, and Bode.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Doris Lensch; and his brother, Wayne.

Memorials may be made to the family for distribution to various charities close to Denny.