Dennis Conway, 73, of Grinnell, died on Sunday, April 28, 2024, at MercyOne Medical Center in Des Moines.

A funeral service will be held at 10:30 am, Monday, May 6, 2024 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell. A luncheon will follow the service in the Parish Center of the church. Burial will be in Hazelwood Cemetery in Grinnell.

The family will receive friends at the visitation held from 3:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Sunday, May 5, 2024 at the Smith Funeral Home in Grinnell.

Memorials may be designated to the Tigers Scholarship Fund (formerly Dollars for Scholars) or to St. Mary Catholic Church and mailed in care of the Smith Funeral Home and Crematory, PO Box 368, Grinnell, IA 50112. Memories and condolences may be shared with Denny's family online at www.smithfh.com.

Dennis William Conway was born on April 22, 1951 in Sioux City, Iowa to Martin William Conway and Helen Marie (Stecker) Conway. He was raised in Sioux City and Council Bluffs, Iowa, where he graduated from St. Albert High School in 1969. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in education from Huron College in 1973 and then received a Master's degree in education from Drake University. Following his education, Denny moved to Iowa City, Iowa and was employed at Westinghouse Learning Corporation.

Denny was united in marriage to Glenyce R. Uttecht on August 3, 1974 at the United Church of Christ in Alpena, South Dakota. The couple moved to Grinnell in the fall of 1974, and Denny began his longtime career of thirty-four years of teaching Business Education at Grinnell High School. He also coached high school wrestling, football, and track, along with youth basketball, baseball and softball. Following his retirement, Denny was a substitute teacher at Grinnell, Newton, Lynnville-Sully, Marshalltown, Montezuma, and BGM schools. He was a longtime member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Grinnell and the Grinnell Rotary Club.

Throughout his tenure as an educator, Denny was not only a source of knowledge but also a pillar of support and compassion. He made the classroom fun by telling jokes and knowing his students and the activities they were involved in. Beyond the classroom, Denny was a devoted family man who cherished every moment spent with his loved ones. He was a constant presence at his children and grandchildren's events, cheering them on with unwavering pride and love. He tirelessly volunteered his time to support various community initiatives, touching the lives of many. Denny will be remembered for his kindness, his dedication to education, and his strong love of his family. He was also known for being an avid Nebraska Cornhusker fan and Grinnell Tiger fan.

Denny is survived by his wife of 49 years, Glenyce Conway of Grinnell; son, Brian (Lori) Conway of Grinnell and their children, Brady, Grace, and Noah; daughter, Emily Conway of Des Moines; and his brother, James (Elizabeth) Conway of Omaha, Nebraska. He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Camilla Hansen and Mary Darveaux; a brother, John in infancy; father and mother-in-law, Gilbert and Eldora (Winter) Uttecht; and the beloved family dog, Howie.