Dennis Ray Wailes

Dennis Ray Wailes, age 77, of rural Scranton, IA, passed away on Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, IA, surrounded by his family.

Dennis was born on September 7, 1947 on a farm north of Bayard, IA, and he was the son of George and Margaret (Dargon) Wailes.  His father passed away when he was a young boy and his family moved into Bayard where he graduated from Bayard High School in 1965.  Dennis was drafted into the United States Army in 1966 and served two years during the Vietnam Conflict.  Upon his return from Vietnam he lived in Des Moines where he met the love of his life Leannah Simpson.  They were married on November 21, 1969 at the First United Methodist Church in Des Moines.  The couple lived in Des Moines for a short time before moving to DeSoto where he worked for Booneville Gravel as a heavy equipment operator.  They later moved to Mechanicsville where he worked for Orkin Pest Control out of Cedar Rapids.  In 1976, they moved to their current home south of Scranton and Dennis began employment with West Central Cooperative retiring in 2003.  He also had a home business sharpening chainsaw blades.  “Double Aught” continued to drive truck for the coop and always looked forward to helping his son-in-law and sister during harvest.  Dennis enjoyed traveling, collecting project vehicles, chatting with his family and friends on the telephone, watching Fox news, tracking his family members on Find My iPhone, and most of all spending time with his family especially his grandchildren.

Dennis is survived by his wife Leannah of 55 years; his children and their families: son Jason Wailes (Marlene) of Council Bluffs, son Brett Wailes (Andrea) of Scranton, daughter Heather Schoenherr (Dan) of Glidden, daughter Jennifer Wailes (Kris Foster) of Pleasantville, and bonus son Steve Kennel (Christine) of Youngstown, OH; thirteen grandchildren; two great-granddaughters; two sisters: Beverly Lorenzen (Mike) of Dallas Center and Kathryn Hunter (Richard) of Scranton; his in-laws: Dorothy Biondi (Dan) of Sheldahl, Linda Moore (Andy) of Moravia, Dale Simpson (Joan) of Poway, CA, George Simpson (Miriam) of Ventura, and Janice West of Wesley; many nieces, nephews, and other extended family members.

Dennis was preceded in death his father George Wailes; his mother Margaret McDonald; his step-father Scott McDonald; his in-laws: Louis and Ruth Simpson; a brother Harold Dean Wailes; two sisters: Shirley Imler (Dean) and Clara Johnson (Marvin); and brothers-in-law: Donald Simpson and Richard Fox.

A visitation will be held from 2 – 4 P.M. on Saturday, June 14, 2025 at the Church of Christ in Bayard concluding with a prayer service at 4 P.M.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at the Church of Christ in Bayard followed by inurnment at the Willow Township Cemetery near Bayard with military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be made to the Bayard American Legion.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Scranton and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com.