Dennis (Alan Poulsen) Fox

Dennis was born on May 11, 1952 to Mary Louise McNair Fox and Jackie Burdell Fox in Centerville, Iowa. He died November 25, 2023 at Sunny View Care Center in Ankeny of dementia and related illnesses.

Dennis received a BS in physics at Coe College, Cedar Rapids in 1974, a MS in physics from University of Iowa in 1977, a Master of Divinity from University of Dubuque in 1984 and a MA in Hebrew Bible from University of Iowa in 2000.

Dennis served as Student Pastor in South Wayne and Woodford United Methodist Churches in Wisconsin 1980-81 and at Wesley UMC 1982-84 in East Dubuque, Iowa. He served as Interim Pastor in Keosauqua in 1985. Dennis was appointed to serve at Calamus and Grand Mound UM Churches 1985-87.

Dennis and Julie Poulsen were married on April 26, 1987. Dennis was appointed to serve Asbury United Methodist in Cedar Rapids 1995-98. From 2004-2007 Dennis served as associate Pastor at Washington UMC, Washington, Iowa. He taught World Religions at Iowa Wesleyan and ESL at Kirkwood 2005-2007.

From 1999-2019 Dennis worked as a UNIX systems administrator at Internet Navigator, Rockwell Collins, John Deere, Pioneer/Dupont/Corteva.

Dennis loved working on computers, learning and working in modern and ancient languages, writing, preaching, problem solving, sarcasm, reading, studying, praying, and teaching. He had a deep faith in God and Christ and an endless curiosity about various religions/holy texts. He was a lifelong learner whose heart was filled with passion for social justice. He delighted in helping Iowans learn about Islam and he corrected much misinformation in the field of religion. Dennis loved photography, woodworking, playing guitar and bass, motorcycles, and his pickup trucks.

Dennis is survived by his wife Julia “Julie” EF Poulsen, of Ankeny; Isaac, his son of St Louis, MO; and James, his son of Ankeny Iowa. His brother Dale (Carolynn) Fox of North Carolina his aunt Carol Fox O’Neill and other family.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Dan Fox of Virginia.

Contributions in honor of Dennis may be given to Iowa Migrant Movement for Justice (formerly JFON). Send to Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, 119 West Lincoln Way, P.O. Box 108, Jefferson, Iowa 50129.

The family is hosting a Celebration of Life to be held in Des Moines at First United Methodist Church, 1001 Pleasant, Des Moines, IA on Monday, Dec 4 at 1:30 pm. Lunch follows. RSVP for lunch to juliaefpoulsen@gmail.com.

Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Jefferson