Virgil R. Denker was born at Denison, Iowa, June 9, 1933, the son of Max and Pauline (Thomsen) Denker. He was baptized July 22, 1933, at Zion Lutheran Church and confirmed at the same church March 21, 1948. He was raised on the family farm northwest of Denison, receiving his education in the rural schools and the Denison High School, graduating with the class of 1951. Following his schooling and prior to his marriage he farmed with his father and worked in Omaha, Nebraska.

On November 15, 1953, Virgil was united in marriage with Phyllis Genzen at Manning, Iowa. This union was blessed with five daughters, Rhonda, Deanna, Linda, Lori, and Lisa. Since February of 1955, the Denkers have made their home on their present farm northwest of Denison. In addition to farming his own land which he dearly loved, Virgil did a lot of custom farm work.

Virgil was stricken February 11, and his death was pronounced Saturday evening, February 20, 1988, at the Crawford County Memorial Hospital in Denison, Iowa. At the time of his passing he had attained the age of 54 years, 8 months, and 11 days.

He was a member of Zion Lutheran Church in Denison where in earlier years he had served as an usher, and was currently a member of the Men's Club. He was an avid bowler and had bowled in several leagues through the years, and was a member of the Crawford County Pork Producers, serving as a director of that group for six years.

Virgil was preceded in death by his father, Max Denker. Left to cherish his memory are his wife, Phyllis Denker of rural Denison, their five daughters, Rhonda and husband John Cool of Denison, Deanna and husband Kirby Lownes of Gilbert, Iowa, Linda and husband Tony Mullenger of Denison, Lori and husband Scott Schneckloth of Manilla, and Lisa Denker of Sioux City, Iowa, eleven grandchildren, his mother, Pauline Denker of Denison, father and mother-in-law Lester and Irene Genzen of Manning, two brothers, Clarence Denker and his wife Alma of rural Denison, Elmer and his wife Joyce of Denison, and two sisters, Virgene and husband Wes Ahrenholtz of Manilla and Ruby and husband John Lorenzen of Denison. Also surviving are aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and a host of other relatives and friends.