Died on Thursday, May 8, 2008 at Hospice House
Visitation Sunday, May 11, 2008 2:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Pauley Jones Funeral Home Harlan, Iowa
Prayer Service Sunday, May 11, 2008 5:00 PM
Pauley Jones Funeral Home Harlan, Iowa

Funeral Service Monday, May 12, 2008 11:00 AM
Irwin United Methodist Church Irwin, Iowa with the Rev. Keith Pals officiating
Pallbearers: Denny Deters, Rex Gochenour, Randy Halbur, Charles Hansen, Greg Hansen, Gary Knueven, Gary Odendahl, Ben Puck
Military Rites Oak Hill Cemetery Irwin, Iowa

Dennis "Denny" Lee, son of Allyn C. and Thelma E. (Wetzel) Erb, was born on August 27, 1947, in Irwin, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at the United Methodist Church in Irwin and graduated from Irwin-Kirkman High School in 1965. He entered the United States Navy in 1965 and served during the Vietnam Conflict as an A-7 Corsair simulator instructor.

On June 13, 1970, Denny was united in marriage to Judy Werner in Carroll, Iowa. Three children were born to this union: Jason, Nathan, and Jamie. After their marriage, they lived in Ames where Denny attended Iowa State University for two years. They lived in Manning before moving to a farm east of Irwin in 1972 where he raised hogs, cattle, beans and corn for over 30 years. During his farming years he was a salesman for Asgrow Seed and for Archer Petroleum products where he was currently the Shelby County Manager. He was a licensed real estate agent for Knueven R.E. & Insurance in Manning and for the past several years had been employed at Puck Custom Enterprises in Manning. He was a member of the IKM School Board where he was in his third term currently serving as board Vice President. Denny was also very involved with the Mid-America Council Boy Scouts of America volunteering for over twenty-five years mainly with IKM Troop 99, Ohwahnasee District and Camp Cedars. In 1994, he was named a National Scoutmaster of the year. Denny was an active member of the American Legion Post No. 22 of Manning having served as their Commander. In his younger days, he enjoyed playing softball with the Kirkman team and rugby with the Harlan team. He was an avid deer hunter and enjoyed showing his 1969 Z28 Camaro in auto shows. One of his lifelong dreams was to build his own house, which he completed in February 2004 so he and his family could move in and enjoy.

In March 2006, Denny was diagnosed with brain cancer. He looked forward to the future and was never willing to give in, always working and spending time with his family and friends as much as he could. On April 28, Denny became a resident of Hospice House in Omaha where he passed away on Thursday, May 8, 2008, having attained the age of sixty years, eight months, and eleven days.

Preceding Denny in death are his parents; son Nathan in infancy; brother Gary; sister Gloria Huff; and parents-in-law Wilbur and Dorothy Werner. He is survived by his wife Judy of Irwin; children Jason (Chanie) Erb of Enid, OK; Jamie Erb of Omaha; one grandson Bodey Erb of Enid; siblings: Sharon (Richard) Monson of Harlan; Diana (Bill) Barton of Omaha; Roger Erb (Carol) of Harlan; stepmother Leona Erb of Harlan; stepsister Linda (Dennis) Wildner of Omaha; stepbrother Tom (Cheryl) Ferry of Harlan; sister-in-law Myrna (Bernie) Gundel of Fontanelle, IA; and brothers-in-law Dan Huff of Lindsay, CA and Jim Werner of Marshalltown, IA; nieces, nephews; other relatives and many friends.