Dennis C. "Denny" Boyer

Dennis C. “Denny” Boyer, age 90 of St. Lucas, passed away on Monday, February 9th, at his daughter’s home in his beloved hometown of St. Lucas.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at St. Luke Catholic Church, St. Lucas, Iowa, with Rev. Nick Radloff presiding. Burial to follow in the church cemetery with full military rites.

Visitation will be from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at the church on Friday, February 13, 2026. Rosary will begin at 3:30 p.m.  There will be no visitation at the church on Saturday morning, please come in and be seated.

Instead of flowers, memorials and donations can be made out to the family in memory of Denny.

Denny was born on the family homestead east of St. Lucas. He was two weeks overdue, but when he was ready, he was ready; he was born at 2 am before the doctor could even arrive. Denny was the youngest of nine children of Adam and Margaret (Ott) Boyer. He often spoke about growing up in the countryside, playing outside with his sisters and brothers and their dogs.

They would walk to and from St. Luke’s Catholic School and spoke German at home, but needed to learn English. Father Schuh advised them to start speaking English at home one month before school began. When Denny entered first grade, all the other children were speaking English, while he knew only German, so he cried until they let him join his sister, Arlene, in another classroom.

He cherished the memories of walking home from school with the neighbors. He attended 5th and 6th grade at the public school in St. Lucas, but it was still Catholic since it was taught by nuns. He would help Sister Amelia put wood in the stove during school, and they would have lunch in the church basement.

Three days into ninth grade, Denny decided he had had enough of school. He jumped out of one of the school windows and walked home. The priest, Father Schuh, followed him to his house, and he and his mother tried to convince him to return to school because they thought he should become a priest. However, Denny had other plans.

Denny loved driving, even though he was too young and didn’t have a license. After his short stint in school, he worked for neighbors: Tony Meinert, Herman Elmer, and Clemmy Schmitt (Rose Schmitt's husband), hauling wood, shucking oats, and driving horses, helped his dad mix cement and plaster, and worked with Tony Balk, shoveling corn. His neighbors kindly helped him get his license, and driving legally became one of his favorite pastimes throughout his life.

He was drafted into the Army in September 1958, and he considered himself one of the lucky ones, as he was stationed in Hildeberg, Germany. During his time in the service, he won first place in the HQ Special Troops USAREUR 1960 Driver Proficiency Contest for his truck-driving skills. His job involved driving Special Troops for the Army. He received his GED and was honorably discharged in September 1960.

After returning home, he worked for Nick Croatt at Croatt Implement in Fort Atkinson from 1960 to 1964, then briefly at John Deere in Waterloo for 88 days. He drove a truck for Marinus Mihm and transported cattle. He was one of the original employees of Schmitt Implement in Fort Atkinson, from the business's start in 1965 until it closed in the late 1980s.

Despite his busy schedule, he still had time to pursue Maxine Hageman. Their paths crossed at the Inwood and at the Red Vest in Calmar during her lunch break. It took some time, but he eventually persuaded her to start dating. They were married on June 2, 1970, at Our Lady of Seven Dolors Church in Festina. After losing Maxine in 2005, he never remarried, stating that once you’ve been with the best, there’s no need to find anyone else.

In 1986, Denny and Maxine founded D&M Farm Supply. Denny and his family worked long hours and built a successful family business for over 30 years. He genuinely enjoyed delivering feed and chatting with his customers. Denny was known as a man who could fix anything and had a wealth of skills. He enjoyed mowing lawns, sometimes inadvertently a few flowers, and tilling gardens. He even continued to repair equipment for farmers long after his time working at the implement.

Denny loved the town of St. Lucas and was an active citizen, serving on the city council, as mayor, volunteer firefighter and was involved with the St. Luke’s Homeschool, St. Luke’s church council, St. Luke’s cemetery board, the Catholic Order of Foresters, Knights of Columbus, and the American Legion. Denny, his wife Maxine, and their son Duane were among the founding members of the St. Lucas Historical Society.

Denny’s final wishes were to see his home church and be with his beloved family in St. Lucas, his cherished hometown. A true people person, he treasured memories, sharing captivating stories about friends and connections, always lighting up conversations with his warmth and joy. His spirit will always resonate with those who knew him.

Denny is survived by his children: Dennis F. Boyer Jr. (Bonnie Boyer), Calmar, their daughters, Briana and Britlyn Boyer; Kevin Boyer of St. Lucas, and Joann Svendsen (John Svendsen), St. Lucas, children, John, Jenna, and Joseph Svendsen. In-laws include Elaine Heying, Frank and Judy Hageman, Alvin and Deb Hageman, Dennis N. Hageman, Reuben (Zandra) Hageman, Vernon Hageman, Neil Hageman, Martin and Cindy Hageman, and Connie (Boyer) Woodson. Many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews, great-great-nieces and nephews, and great-great-great-nieces and nephews.

Denny was preceded in death by his parents, Adam and Margaret Boyer; his father and mother-in-law, Frank and Ida (Ehler) Hageman; his wife, Maxine, who passed in 2005; and his son, Duane, who passed away in 2014. His siblings: Sister Margaret Boyer FSPA, Leonard Boyer, Ray and Evelyn Boyer, Andrew Boyer, Larry Boyer, Eugene Boyer, Flavia and Norbert Lechtenberg, Arlene Boyer, and in law Larry Heying.

Thank you for being part of Denny’s life. When you heard his vibrant stories, you understood the impact many of you had on his life. Thank you for being part of his legacy.