Louis John Dehner, 103, of Burlington died Monday, August 6, 2007, at Great River Medical Center in West Burlington.

Born February 20, 1904 in Burlington, he was the son of John A. and Julia Diedrich Dehner.  On October 25, 1934, he married Anna Marie Marshall in St. Paul’s Catholic Church in Burlington.  She died August 23, 2003.

            Mr. Dehner was a graduate of St. Paul Catholic High School and attended St. Ambrose College in Davenport, Iowa.  Upon completion of his education, he joined his father and brothers in the operation of Dehner Seed and Supply Company.  He prided himself for helping customers solve problems no matter how large or small.  He looked forward to going to work every day because he enjoyed the fellowship of working with his dad and brothers as well as providing high quality products and service to his community. He remained active in the business until his retirement at age 97. He was a salesman for Pfister Hybrid Corn Company and Cargill Seed Corn Company and cherished the friends he made serving his rural customers.  For several years Mr. Dehner wrote “The Game Bag” for the Burlington Hawkeye.  This column dealt with hunting and fishing tips in Burlington and surrounding areas.  Often he would include recipes for the proper preparation of both fish and waterfowl that were no doubt supplied by Mrs. Dehner.

            He was an avid sportsman enjoying duck hunting, fishing and the outdoors in general.  He loved football and was an avid Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs fan.  He also refereed and coached basketball.  He was a member of SS John and Paul Catholic Church where he was a Lector, Crystal Lake Club, Izaak Walton League and served on the Burlington Catholic School and Athletic Board.  He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus.

            Louis and his soul mate Anna Marie shared many interests in their 69 years of life together.  They enjoyed gardening (both were Master Gardeners).  What really mattered most to both of them was their love and devotion to each other, their children and their Lord.  Louis will be missed by all of us for his wit and wisdom that living on this earth 103 years brings.

            Survivors include one son, Thomas L. (Karen) Dehner of Omaha, Nebraska, five daughters, Mary (Sam) Wilson of Bettendorf, Iowa, Elizabeth (Larry) Stevens of West Burlington, Teresa (E. Gordon) Walker of Plymouth, Minnesota, Rosemary (John) Keeley of Bettendorf, and Patricia (Ron) Kirk of Erlanger, Kentucky: 24 grandchildren; 47 great grandchildren; one great-great grandchild; and many nieces and nephews. 

            His wife, parents, twin sons, John and Joseph, grandson Scott Stevens, great granddaughters, Hannah Lee Stevens and Ashley Foss, four brothers, Edmund, Paul, John and Julius and son-in-law, Larry Watson preceded him in death.