Dennis Alden Whitney

Dennis Alden Whitney, 60, of Des Moines, Iowa passed away at home on August 28, 2022. He was born in Fremont, California on November 14, 1961 to Follice Cecil and Ardith Colleene (King) Whitney. After living in California, Kentucky, and Indiana, the family settled in Des Moines. Graduating from Des Moines Technical High School in 1979 with a course major in aviation, he flew his first solo flight at age 16 and received his private pilot license soon after. Dennis often flew his parents to visit out of state relatives and even flew his dad to view auto parts for muscle cars he and his brother enjoyed restoring.

Moving to California in his early twenty’s, he became an auto body painter for a few years. Dennis then asked his dad to guide him in learning the construction trade, becoming a union carpenter in Southern California. After returning to Iowa, he met Jane Leydens. They married October 6, 1996 and became parents to Dustin and Garrett. In a change of occupations, he joined the international Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union 55 in Des Moines, Iowa. He retired November of 2019 to spend more time enjoying the rewards for years of hard work.

His passions included camping, boating, sailing, fishing, scuba diving, and flying. Dennis also enjoyed comedies, cooking and eating his favorite foods (Mexican, Sushi & good old home cooking known to the family as “stuff”). He was fond of many types of music from rock, blues, reggae, new wave, and country. Dennis went on to become an excellent country dancer after initially just wanting to make it once around the dance floor at Denny Arthur’s. His favorite dance partners were his mom and longtime friend Charlotte.

He was proceeded in death by his father and grandparents.

He is survived by his wife, Jane; sons Dustin and Garrett; and mother, Ardith Colleene all of Des Moines, Iowa; brothers, Don of Denison, Iowa and Douglas of Simi Valley, California.

A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, October 8, 2022 from 1:00 to 4:00 pm at IBEW Local Union 55, 1435 NE 54th Avenue Des Moines, Iowa. Take exit 136 off of I-80 head north on NE 14th Street to the second stoplight. The Union Hall is located on the south east corner of the intersection. Turn east on NE 54th and then right into the first driveway.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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