Dennis "Denny" Schmoker

Dennis “Denny” Schmoker, 57, of Lehigh, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on Friday, September 4, 2020, at his home.

Funeral services for Denny will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2020 at New Covenant Christian Church in Fort Dodge, Iowa, with Pastor Michael Carmody officiating. The funeral will be livestreamed on New Covenant Christian Church’s facebook page. Burial will be at West Lawn Cemetery in Lehigh. A public visitation will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Monday, September 7, 2020 at Carson-Stapp Funeral Home in Dayton. Face coverings and social distancing will be encouraged.

Dennis Keith Schmoker was born on October 13, 1962, in Fort Dodge, Iowa, the son of Duane and Audrey (Widick) Schmoker. He graduated with the Central Webster High School class of 1981.

On June 6, 1998, Dennis was united in marriage to Susan Pedersen Freeman at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa. Susan and Dennis were the first couple at the church to book a wedding online.

Denny began his career being self-employed in Kitchen cabinetry shortly after high school. He spent a number of years on the line at Frigidaire and then worked in the model shop. Following Frigidaire, he spent several years building and selling replicas of antique spinning wheels. They lured him back to the model shop at Electrolux where he remained working until the plant closed. Up until the time of his passing, he worked in construction and remodel with Brad Bendickson and sons.

Denny was a very talented man and was able to do anything he set out to do. He was a master craftsman at many trades, with most jobs involving building, designing and creating. Denny had so many talents it would take a day to name them all, as it would to name all of his friends. He and Sue enjoyed traveling extensively throughout the Midwest with South Dakota Badlands/Black Hills being their favorite place to explore. He enjoyed spending time with his children, grandkids and family as well. Denny was a very giving man, he traveled to Nicaragua a few times for mission trips with Millenium Ministries. His love for pottery led to his full fledged effort to build a home business and retire. He was most pleased to have been asked to demonstrate pottery at the Iowa State Fair with Russ and Jackie Leckband of New Harmony Pottery. Denny was the kind of man who, when he set out to try new things or a new task, would pick it up and do it like he had been doing it his entire life. His skills were only surpassed by the size of his heart, he would drop anything to help a friend or stranger, giving 110% all the while. His big and warm smile, soft and calming voice and loving demeanor will be hugely missed.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Schmoker of Lehigh, IA; children, Autumn (Jake) Grossnickle of Rhodes, Forrest (Lydia) Schmoker of Fort Dodge, Andrea Freeman also of Fort Dodge, Aaron Freeman of Farmington, MN; 8 grandchildren, Madelynn, Graham, Audrey, Drake, Liam, Willa, Wesley and Oliver; father, Duane Schmoker of Fort Dodge; brother, Donnie (Lien) Schmoker of Fort Walton Beach, FL; two sisters, Margie (Joe) Fleming of Lehigh, and Ann Marie Schmoker; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Denny was preceded in death by his mother, Audrey Schmoker.

Expressions of sympathy may be sent to Sue Schmoker at P.O. Box 115, Lehigh, Iowa 50557.