
Dennis Michael Dunphy
Dennis Michael Dunphy, 91, was born Dec. 27, 1933, in Des Moines and died on Feb. 23, 2025. He graduated from Dowling High School in 1951.
Dennis was a highly skilled house painter and worked in and around Des Moines for years before moving to California. He lived in Santa Monica for several years, often going back and forth to Des Moines during this time before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and then eventually back to Iowa.
He was an avid walker, often walking several miles, multiple times a day, no matter the weather. He read the paper cover to cover daily and finished every crossword puzzle, jumble and sudoku he could get his hands on. He was a steadfast Iowa Hawkeyes fan, LA Dodgers fan, enjoyed horse racing, golf and watching westerns. He was an incredible storyteller and a keeper of memories — the person in the family we all knew could answer any question, recount any event, and remember every detail.
While Dennis never married or had children of his own, he was a much beloved uncle and integral presence in the lives of his many nieces and nephews over the years.
Survivors include sister Mary Jean Dunley of Urbandale, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by sister Ann Marie Lundy and three brothers, George, Lawrence and Joseph Dunphy.
According to his wishes, Dennis was cremated. At this time a date has not been set for a celebration of life mass.
Dennis was a highly skilled house painter and worked in and around Des Moines for years before moving to California. He lived in Santa Monica for several years, often going back and forth to Des Moines during this time before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, and then eventually back to Iowa.
He was an avid walker, often walking several miles, multiple times a day, no matter the weather. He read the paper cover to cover daily and finished every crossword puzzle, jumble and sudoku he could get his hands on. He was a steadfast Iowa Hawkeyes fan, LA Dodgers fan, enjoyed horse racing, golf and watching westerns. He was an incredible storyteller and a keeper of memories — the person in the family we all knew could answer any question, recount any event, and remember every detail.
While Dennis never married or had children of his own, he was a much beloved uncle and integral presence in the lives of his many nieces and nephews over the years.
Survivors include sister Mary Jean Dunley of Urbandale, along with several nieces and nephews. He was preceded by sister Ann Marie Lundy and three brothers, George, Lawrence and Joseph Dunphy.
According to his wishes, Dennis was cremated. At this time a date has not been set for a celebration of life mass.