Dennis Eugene Cordle
CORDLE, CARMEN, STRIKE, VAN KLOMPENBURG, BULLEN, HENDERSON, ALBRIGHT, METZ, OHM, MARINO, FORTHUBER, PARKER, CRAVATH
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 1/13/2025 at 07:41:20
Dennis Eugene Cordle, beloved father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on January 5, 2025 in Iowa City at the age of 86 due to complications from a fall.
Dennis was born on February 15, 1938 in Mason City, IA to parents Ruth Arlene (Carman) Cordle and Harrold “Harry” Robert Cordle. When Dennis’s father returned from WWII naval service, the family moved from Mason City to Osage, then settled in Charles City, IA. Dennis attended Charles City High School where he played on the basketball team and graduated valedictorian in 1956. He then went to the University of Iowa on full scholarship where he studied chemistry and was a walk-on for the Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team.
On Sept. 15, 1957, Dennis married Marjorie Strike. They had 3 children, Julie, Michael, and Jane. Dennis and Marjorie were divorced in 1965. On Sept. 7, 1968, Dennis married Delores Van Klompenburg. They raised their 2 children, Angela and Robert, in Iowa City, where Delores worked at the DeGowin Blood Bank and Dennis worked at Montgomery Ward. Later in life Dennis worked as a cashier at Dan’s Shortstop Market.
Dennis had a life-long love of activities that exercised his intellect and required skill, strategy, and precision. He was a voracious reader that left mountains of devoured books in his wake. He was a highly skilled three-cushion billiards player, having competed in the International Billiard Tournament in 1968. He was a bridge grand master, played in countless national and international bridge tournaments, and taught bridge classes. Dennis was also an accomplished golfer. He played golf all summer, every summer at the Iowa City Elks Lodge 590 where he was a member for over 50 years. The Elks Club was like a second home for him. He not only played golf there, but taught his children how to play golf there, played bridge and other card games, attended events, ate meals, and had many friends among the members and staff.
Dennis was heartbroken when his wife Delores died in 1999 after 31 years of marriage. In his final years, Dennis continued to read, play bridge, and played golf for as long as he physically could. When he could no longer physically play golf, he watched his son Robert’s golf game, never hesitating to offer his critiques.
Dennis was a fiercely independent man that lived life on his own terms. He leaves behind family and friends that will deeply miss him, his sharp wit and boundless generosity.
Dennis is survived by ex-wife Marjorie Strike Bullen; daughters Jane Henderson (Neal Henderson) and Angela Cordle (Craig Albright); son Robert Cordle (Amy Metz); grandsons Curtis Ohm and Christopher Ohm; granddaughters Renee Marino (Justin Forthuber), Abigail Henderson, and Gracie Albright; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ruth and Harry, wife Delores (Van Klompenburg) Cordle, sister Susan Parker, brother Tom Cordle, sister-in-law Gennene (Vervais) Cordle, daughter Julie Cravath, and son Michael Cordle.
A celebration of Dennis’s life will be held on January 25, 2025, at the Iowa City Elks Lodge 590 (637 Foster Rd.) from 1-4 pm. Any and all are welcome to join us in celebrating the life that Dennis lived to the fullest.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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