Dennis Edward O'Connor

1960 - 2024

Dennis Edward O'Connor

March 8, 1960 - December 3, 2024

Denny O'Connor is plowing heaven's fields, watching his pumpkins grow and DJing a dance party for the angels after his journey on earth ended December 3, 2024 at Zearing Health Care Center the only facility in Iowa that specializes in Huntington's Disease care, where they do God's work every day. For each ZHC member we are forever grateful as they welcomed Denny with open arms.

Denny was born to John "Jack" and Bette (DeWulf) O'Connor on March 8, 1960 in Davenport. He attended Sacred Heart Catholic School in Davenport until his parents moved to the O'Connor family farm near Donahue, Iowa. High school years were spent at North Scott High School where he honed his performance skills in the speech and drama department.

He worked at a number of different jobs-driving school bus, delivering ice, apprenticed at Caterpillar and was a crane operator at Alcoa, even started his own DJ business but the farm was in his blood. He worked with his father and brother with their hog operation, grain farming and later grew pumpkins on the sand hills of Scott County.

In 1981 he married Donna Mathis and they welcomed children Veronica, Bill and Amy. He brought his kids to Davenport so they could attend St. Paul the Apostle School and bought a little house just across the street. While DJing a dance at the school he met and later married Karen (Robson) O'Connor in 1992. They welcomed daughter Emma and the family was complete.

Denny was committed to his faith, family, farming and future research to find a cure for HD. He chose to donate his brain to the University of Iowa Brain Bank for research purposes and for that the family is very proud. We also thank the University of Iowa HD Center for Excellence where we have received support and care for over twenty years.

Left to carry on the journey are wife Karen of Davenport, daughter Veronica O'Connor (Luke Meeker) of Muscatine, son William "Bill" O'Connor (Beth) of Nevada, daughter Amy Killen (Jimmy) of Texas, daughter Emma Haynes (Brandon) of Fruitland, IA, older brother James "Jim" O'Connor (Sherry) of rural Donahue, brother-in-law Lyle White of Carbondale, IL and grandchildren Riley Stecher, Timber Stineman, Kohyn Subbert, Isabella Meeker, Hunter and Colton Killen, Dominic and Jack Haynes. Denny was preceded in death by grandson Grayson Dennis Subbert, sisters Kathleen, MaryEllen and Susanne, and his parents.

Go rest high on that mountain, Denny. Your work on earth is done.

Services will be at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church (1007 E Rusholme St. Davenport) on Thursday, December 12, 2024 with funeral mass at 10:30 a.m. and visitation one hour prior. Luncheon will follow in the church hall. Private burial will be carried out at St. Ann's Cemetery, Long Grove, IA.

The family requests any donations might be directed toward St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School in Davenport or the Huntington's Disease Society of America.