We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Dennis “Denny” Joseph Braeden, 65, of Keokuk, on Friday, December 8, 2023, Denny was surrounded by his loving family at the University of Iowa Hospital hospice care in Iowa City, Iowa.
Denny was born on March 11, 1958, in Fort Madison, Iowa, the son of Joseph and Mary “Lou” (Estes) Braeden, then raised on the bluff of the Mississippi River in Warsaw, Illinois. He was united in marriage to Mary Wright, receiving from this union her son that became theirs, Nathan Land. They were later divorced.
Denny enjoyed watching bald eagles from his cabin on Spring Island and the deck of his final home on the Mississippi riverfront as well as spending time with his friends and family. He was employed at Griffin Wheel in Keokuk for forty-six years, starting at nineteen and receiving the award for longest employee for Amstead Rail in North America. He was active in his community, attending First Christian Church of Keokuk, serving as President of USW Local 9B, bell-ringing for the Salvation Army and participating in the Games for Hunger food drive. He could also be found volunteering every Labor Day at the Keokuk Labor Temple. Denny will be remembered as one of the kindest and most generous people, often quietly giving to area families and organizations while seeking no recognition. Denny has never met a stranger and would stop to converse with anyone. The family would like to remind those mourning this loss, that the memories we deeply enjoyed will never be lost.
Denny is survived by his son Nathan (Mandy) Land of Amarillo, Texas; two sisters: Gayle (Mike) Roskamp of Sutter, Illinois, and Rhonda (Bud) Kay of Kamiah, Idaho; three grandchildren: Brendon Walton, Brody Land and Jacob Braeden Land; his step-mother Sue Braeden of Warsaw, Illinois; two step-siblings: Robin (Renee) Satterly of Warsaw and Pam (Mark) Ragar of Keokuk; one niece, Amy Kay; and three nephews, Ricky Kay, Tyler (Becky) Roskamp and Dustin (Jennifer) Roskamp.
Denny is preceded in death by his parents.
A celebration of Denny’s life will be held at 12 pm (Noon) on Thursday, December 14, 2023, at Printy Funeral Home in Warsaw, with burial to follow at Oakland Cemetery in Warsaw. The family is asking for guests to write down their memories of Denny and dropped in a memory box at the funeral home for the family to read at a later time. Additionally, friends will be offered and encouraged to share memories at the celebration of life service. Visitation will be held on Thursday from 10 am to 12 pm (Noon) at the funeral home directly before the service.
Memorials may be directed to City of Christmas or Salvation Army
Tributes and condolences may be left at www.printyfuneralhome.com Printy Funeral Home of Warsaw is in charge of arrangements.
