Dennis Drew Walker

Dennis Drew “Duke” Walker was born to Drew and Pauline (Blankenship) Walker Sept. 4, 1949, in Newton. Duke was one of seven children, having three brothers and three sisters. He was an avid sports fan and played football for Newton High School where he graduated in 1967. He attended college in Mason City.

Duke was united in marriage to Janet Daggett in January of 1993 and became a loving and caring father to Sherry Daggett (Minshall). Duke began his long-time career with Veenstra & Kimm, Inc., an engineering firm, located in West Des Moines. He worked as an engineer technician/inspector from May 1984 until his retirement Oct. 25, 2013. After 29 years of employment, he continued to work on a part-time basis for the firm on various projects until 2020.

Duke will always be remembered for his love of the Iowa State Cyclones and the St. Louis Cardinals. The drive to St. Louis, Mo., became a summer family tradition, attending many Cardinal baseball games with his grandkids. For more than two decades, he held premier season tickets on the 50-yard line for Iowa State football where he would cheer on his favorite team with family members. With the conclusion of the fall sports season, each February Duke would make his way west. Each year he visited his siblings who reside in Colorado. Duke also enjoyed escaping Iowa’s long winters by vacationing in Nevada, where he enjoyed the sunny weather and excitement of the slot machines.

Duke lived his entire adult life in Adel. His final days of retirement were occupied by attending Faith Lutheran Church, local football games and spending time with his grandkids. Surrounded by his family, Duke passed away in his home Sunday, Feb. 14, 2021, as a result of COVID-19.

Left to remember a life well-lived, are his siblings, Dean (Lisa) Walker of Colorado, Sherry Price of Arizona and Mike (Connie) Walker of Colorado; brother-in-law, Roger Smith; sister-in-law, Sally Walker; son-in-law, Jeremiah Minshall of Iowa; grandchildren, Drew, Brandon, Tanner and Allie Minshall of Iowa; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Drew and Pauline Walker; wife, Janet Walker; daughter, Sherry Minshall; sister, Jackie Shepley; sister, Paula Smith; and brother, Alan Walker.

The family of Duke Walker wishes to thank you for your kindness and sympathy at a time when it is deeply appreciated. Duke’s untimely death reminds us we must all be vigilant in helping prevent the spread of Covid-19 and show love and respect to our neighbors and friends.

A funeral service was Saturday, Feb. 20 at Faith Lutheran Church in Adel with burial following at Oakdale Cemetery in Adel. To view a live stream of the funeral service, go to the church’s website, https://faithadel.com/