In Memory of Richard "Dick" DeVenney

Richard “Dick” DeVenney, 87, of Marshalltown, passed away Tuesday, September 27, 2022, at Grandview Heights in Marshalltown. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 3, 2022 at St. Francis of Assisi Parish – St. Henry Catholic Church in Marshalltown. Visitation will be held from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the services at the church. Interment will be at Riverside Cemetery in Marshalltown. Anderson Funeral Homes of Marshalltown is caring for Richard and his family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Riverside Cemetery to help with the continued cost of derecho restoration and pond project.

Richard was born August 1, 1935, to George and Francis (Koll) DeVenney in Fort Dodge, IA, he was an only child and spent his early years growing up in Fort Dodge. When Richard was 12, the family moved to Marshalltown where his dad continued his employment in auto mechanics. Richard graduated from MHS where he also ran track and hurdles. After graduation he started school at Drake and began dating a secretary in the MHS office named Lorraine Lemker. Even though Drake didn’t work out, the relationship did, and they were married two years later on September 10, 1955. By then, Richard was working in the office at Fisher Controls and, in 1959, earned a mechanical drafting certificate. In 1975, Richard went back to school at MCC and earned his AA degree. He received his BA from Buena Vista in 1984, an accomplishment of which he was extremely proud, and started work in the corporate purchasing dept. The University of Wisconsin-Madison’s School of Business awarded Richard his logistics management certification in 1998, and he continued working in logistics at Fisher/Emerson until he retired. Richard was well known for his ability to draw house plans and did so for many people in the Marshalltown area. He built the house his family first lived in when they resided in Haverhill and was also the first mayor of the town. He volunteered his time and served on many different boards. He was especially proud of overseeing the construction of St. Henry Church. After he retired, he worked for Marv Kuehner Construction. During their 65 years of marriage, Richard and Lorraine’s lives were filled with taking in all their children’s and grandkids’ school and sporting events and dance recitals. Richard was a huge fan of the Iowa State Cyclones. Once retired, they also enjoyed traveling.

Richard was a stranger to no one and a nice guy to all. He lived a selfless and giving life and was a kind and gentle soul, one we can all aspire to be more like. He will be sorely missed by his daughter, Nancy (Dave) Sanderson of Marshalltown, as well as his sons, David of Philadelphia, PA, Steve (Tracy) of Johnston, Tim of Washington, D.C., and Mike (Renae) of Ankeny, and his beloved dog, Little. Richard has eight grandchildren, and two great grandchildren with another on the way. In death, Richard is united with his wife, Lorraine, and his parents, George and Fran.