Dennis Elmer Wagoner was born on May 4, 1948, to Elmer Wagoner and Allene Blume Wagoner at Clarinda, Iowa.
Dennis was a lifelong member of St. John Lutheran Church, where he taught Sunday School and served as an elder.
He attended Olive Branch Country School through the eighth grade, then Clarinda High School, graduating third in his class in 1966.
After high school, Dennis attended Iowa Western Community College and graduated from Iowa State University in 1970 with a degree in sociology. After college graduation, he was a volunteer with VISTA— working in Detroit, Michigan to secure housing for impoverished populations.
Later, he returned to Clarinda to the family farm, working alongside his father Elmer and brother Roger. His devotion to the land, raising cattle, hogs, goats, and llamas was a great source of pride for him.
For 38 years, Dennis worked as a social worker at Clarinda Mental Health Institute in acute psychiatric and substance abuse programs.
There, Dennis met and married his wife Janese McAlpin Wagoner on January 31, 1987. To this union, Janese brought her children Brooke Nicole Shore and Justin Alexander Goode. Dennis was a devoted dad and role model to Brooke and Justin throughout his life. Later becoming “Grampa” to the grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Family was Dennis’s pride and joy. He instilled in them kindness, compassion, service to others, and his deep faith in his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
After retiring from MHI, Dennis and Janese served for seven years as resident volunteers at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas, where they hosted the visitors center and fair trade gift shop. There they taught visitors of Heifer International’s mission to end poverty, hunger, and caring for the Earth in a sustainable manner by investing in and supporting local farmers and their communities.
Dennis was also manager of the Heifer Booth at the Iowa State Fair for seven years. Janese and Dennis also served as volunteers during this time at the World Food Prize in Des Moines.
Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Allene Wagoner, brothers Laverne and Lowell Wagoner, sisters-in-law Shirley Wagoner and Lois Wagoner, brother-in-law Larry McAlpin, and granddaughter Kardeye Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife of 39 years, Janese, daughter Brooke (Duane) Van Fosson, son Justin (Cary) Goode, brother Roger (Marcia) Wagoner, brother Jan (Linda) Wagoner, brother- and sister-in-law Gordon and Joni McAlpin, and sister-in-law Kathy McAlpin, 6 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Memorials may be given to Villisca Volunteer Fire Department or St. John Lutheran Church.
Burial in Findley Cemetery on the McAlpin family farm at a later date.
A luncheon will be served in the fellowship hall following the service.
