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Dennis M. McGettrick

June 14, 1938 - January 27, 2022

Dennis Meryl McGettrick went home to be with his Lord on January 27, 2022.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 3, 2022 at Memorial Services of Iowa (4208 N. Ankeny Blvd). Family will greet friends an hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be at Ankeny Memorial Gardens. The funeral will be livestreamed at the following link: https://vimeo.com/671477478

The adage “You can take the boy out of the farm, but you can’t take the farm out of the boy” was true for Dennis.  He started driving a tractor on his family’s farm in Cortez, Colorado at the age of ten. Even though he went on to be a band director, he missed the farm and always had a garden.

Dennis also had a gift for music and teaching.  He got his BA and master’s at WSU in Wichita, Kansas.  He was a gifted teacher who made an impression on his students in Dorrance, Herington, Wichita and Council Grove, Kansas where he retired. He remained in contact with his students for many years and enjoyed interacting with them on Facebook.  He also coached and mentored his wrestling team in Herington, Kansas.

Dennis married Karen McIlnay in 1961 after they met at the Baptist Student Union.  He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.  He will be remembered for his sense of humor by all those who knew him.  One of his granddaughters said of her grandfather when something was broken, “Give it to Grandpa. He can fix anything!”

Dennis trusted Jesus to be his Lord and Savior at a young age in Cortez, Colorado.  He was involved in the church all of his life and was instrumental, along with Karen, in passing on his faith to his children.

He leaves behind his wife of almost 61 years, Karen McGettrick; a son, Michael (Michelle); three daughters, Shawnda (Scott) McCluer, Sherri McGettrick and Erin (Brad) Poe; 11 grandchildren, Mandi McCluer, Brendan McCluer, Alexandra McGettrick, Meg (Mat) Hutchison , Elizabeth McGettrick, Caiti McCluer, Aubrey McGettrick, Matthew McCluer, Kenzie McCluer, Corbin and Rory Poe; two great-grandchildren, Willow and Luna Hutchison; brother, Dale (Carol) McGettrick; three sisters-in-law, Zella McGettrick, Mary McGettrick and Lynne McGettrick; and nine nieces and nephews.

He joins in Heaven his father, Pete McGettrick; mother, Jesse McGettrick; his brothers, Dwayne (Millie) McGettrick, Veryl McGettrick, Jewel McGettrick, and Garvin McGettrick; his sister, Vivian McGettrick; and a niece, Jan McGettrick Welch.

He would want to share his hope of eternal salvation and a permanent home in Heaven with everyone.  Trust in the Lord Jesus as your savior and find the peace and hope that he carried throughout his life.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Grace Church (4200 E 25th St, Des Moines, IA).