Earl Wayne Denkman, age 101, of Muscatine, passed away on Monday, May 25, 2026, at Cedar Manor Care Center in Tipton. A funeral service was held at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 31, at United Methodist Church of Wilton. A visitation was held from 1–3 p.m., prior to the service at the church. Burial took place in Klein Cemetery, Moscow. Memorials may be made to Sharon School House Restoration Project, Wilton Fire Department or the Cedar Manor Care Center. Online condolences may be left at www.bentleyfuneralhome.com.
Earl was born on June 12, 1924, the son of Clifford and Elsie (Zellmer) Denkman. He married Ramona "Monie" Laschanzky on Jan. 25, 1947, in Wilton. Monie passed away on Sept. 23, 2016.
Earl devoted his life to his family, his faith, and the land he loved. He farmed in Muscatine County for many years and enjoyed the simple pleasures of rural life and the outdoors. Earl especially loved hunting, trapping, cutting wood, camping, and taking fishing trips to Long Lake, Wis., with his children and grandchildren. Remarkably independent, Earl lived at home until the age of 98.
Music was one of Earl’s greatest passions. He played the banjo and trumpet and sang in various bands from his teenage years well into his late 90s. He particularly enjoyed performing at barn dances, county fairs, nursing homes, and with the Country Church Friends.
Earl was also involved in his community. He was a 50-year member of the Bloom-ington Grange and the Iowa State Grange. In his younger years, he was a catcher on the Moscow Sandburs softball team. He also enjoyed bowling and spending time with friends in card clubs, where he especially liked playing euchre and pinochle. Earl will be remembered for his strong work ethic, his love of music and the outdoors, and the joy he found in spending time with family and friends.
Earl will be dearly missed by a son, Mike (Terri) Denkman of Moscow; a son-in-law, Dennis Anderson of Moscow; five grand-children, Michelle (Brian) Peters, Brad (Lindsey) Anderson, Scott (Kortney) Denkman, Sarah (Alex) Adler, and Todd (Marissa) Denkman; nine great-grandchildren, Jayden, Grace, Margaret, Jack, Jordy, Russell, Will, Braxton and Sawyer; and a brother, Dale Denkman of Tipton.
Earl was preceded in death by his wife, Monie; his daughter, Vickie Anderson; two brothers, Ralph and Eugene Denkman; and sister, Betty Warner.
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