Dennis John Griffin

A memorial service for Dennis Griffin, 72, of Greene, will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 21st, 2026, at St. Peter Lutheran Church, 324 East Traer St., Greene. Pastor ChyAnne Slick will be officiating. Interment will be at Rose Hill Cemetery, Greene. Visitation will be 4:00 - 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 20th at the church and continue one hour before the memorial service on Saturday. Dennis John Griffin was born October 7th, 1953 in Grinnell, Iowa to John and Gayle (Gross) Griffin and died peacefully surrounded by his loving family on March 10th, 2026 at the Mitchell County Regional Health Center in Osage. Dennis attended elementary school in Brooklyn, Iowa, moved to Dysart, Iowa prior to 8th grade and graduated from Dysart-Geneseo High School with the class of 1972. Dennis attended Northwestern College in Orange City, Iowa where he played on the Red Raiders football team from 1972 - 1975. His team was the 1972 National Runner-up and won the 1973 National Championship. He graduated in the spring of 1976 with a degree in elementary education. Dennis moved to Greene in the fall of 1976 to teach 5th and 6th grade at Greene Elementary and coached several junior high and high school sports teams. It was during his time as a teacher that Dennis met the love of his life, Peggy Marie Steere. They were united in marriage in 1981 at St. Peter Lutheran Church and were later blessed with two sons Tyler and Clint, who affectionately called him "Poppy". After teaching for four years, Dennis worked at Bill's Foods in Greene for a short time prior to transitioning to a 30+ year career in carpentry. Dennis was dedicated to providing meticulous high-quality work in remodeling and building projects in Greene and the surrounding communities. Dennis was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in 1998, fighting a heroic 28-year cancer battle. Few noticed, though no one truly understood the pain and suffering he endured. He modeled strength, hope and perseverance through it all. One of Dennis' many blessings was his voice. Though a man of few words, he shared his faith by bringing messages of hope and healing to families through his love of music while performing at numerous weddings, funerals and church services. He was a member of the church choir and praise worship team at St Peter Lutheran Church. Dennis enjoyed singing for several years with the Greene Community Chorus as they prepared and performed the annual Christmas Cantata, stepping up to direct it for numerous years. He encouraged his sons while they were in high school to be involved with him in his musical endeavors. Tyler joined Dennis in the annual Christmas Cantata performance with the Greene Community Chorus. Clint played keyboard with the praise worship team. On days of his various cancer appointments and treatments, Dennis touched many lives by singing and playing music in the waiting room of MercyOne North Iowa Cancer Center and the lobby at Mercy One Hospital in Mason City. Dennis also loved hunting, fishing, and biking with his wife. Spending time with his family, and attending his sons’ and grandsons’ numerous sporting events and extracurricular activities brought joy to Dennis' life. Dennis is survived by his wife of nearly 45 years, Peggy; two sons Tyler (Bailey) Griffin of Hudson and Clint (Sophie) Griffin of Cedar Falls; grandsons Greyson, Knox and Bode Griffin all of Hudson; mother Gayle Griffin of Cedar Falls; sister, Diane Langbehn of Marion and numerous nieces and nephews. Dennis is preceded in death by his father John and brother Dan. The Griffin Family would like to thank the doctors, nurses and staff at Mercy One Clinic in Greene, and the Mercy One Cancer Center in Mason City who cared for Dennis during his battle with cancer. The Griffin Family would also like to extend their most sincere thanks to the nurses, doctors, and social workers of both St. Croix Hospice of Charles City and Mitchell County Regional Health Center of Osage who helped Dennis close this chapter of his journey. Memorials can be directed to the Griffin family for a later designation in Dennis’ name.

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Dennis John Griffin

October 7, 1953 - March 10, 2026