Sign Denny's Guest Book Registry for Dennis Sailsbury
Dennis (Denny) Wayne Sailsbury, age 78, passed away at his Ames, IA home on March 6, 2021 surrounded by his family. A gathering of friends and family will be 4-6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way Ames, with a 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 12, graveside service at Ames Municipal Cemetery. Masks and social distancing are required at both events.
Dennis was born in Ames, Iowa on September 24, 1942. He was the oldest of four children of Dale and Martha Sailsbury. He was a graduate of Ames High School and resided in Ames his entire life.
Dennis married Betty Borg, of Forest City, IA, on October 3, 1964. He had a passion for photography and worked at the Ames Laboratory as a photographer for over 40 years. He carried his passion of photography into his family vacations and holiday celebrations. He was heavily involved with his children's (Hal, Eric, and Dan) activities. He rarely missed a practice or a game. He helped coached the sports teams they were involved in and was a cub scout leader for each of his three boys. He took many ski trips with his sons and grandchildren.
He was also devoted to his seven grandchildren (Chelsea, Alex, Jack, Roman, Calvin, Max, and Jonah). His grandkids had many overnights at grandpa and grandma's house as they loved how he allowed them to stay up late to watch movies, eat chips and salsa, and make malts with grandpa. The morning always greeted the kids with his famous pancakes, as he was the only one that knew how to make them the "right way".
He was a teacher at heart, as he loved teaching life skills to his kids and grandchildren on how to drive a boat, fish, camp, build wood working projects, and how to enjoy life.
Everyone knew Dennis as an avid RAGBRAI rider as he rode RAGBRAI for 27 years. After he decided not to ride anymore, he would provide support in transporting gear and setting up tents for his kids and grandkids when they would join the ride regularly.
Dennis was a staple in his involvement with Ames High School Football. During football season, for 40 years, you could find him on Friday nights volunteering his time at Ames High football games running the chains on the sidelines marking first downs. Because of his dedication and years of service, he received a distinguished service award from the Ames High School Athletic Department.
Dennis loved camping. He took his family on numerous camping trips over the years and spent many years with his sons and grandchildren on canoe trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota.
In retirement, he worked part time at Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University as a jack of all trades. He spent many hours building displays, performing maintenance on equipment, and mentored many of the student workers.
He was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis.
Dennis never turned down an opportunity to try something new, because he was always a kid at heart.
Dennis is survived by his wife, Betty; son Hal (Dana) and their three children, Chelsea Bright (Isaac and great-grandchild due May 27, 2021), Alex (fiancé Kiki Kramer), and Jack; son Eric (Margene) and their son Roman (fiancé Morgan Warbalow); son Dan (Megan) and their three sons Calvin, Max, and Jonah; his siblings Marilyn Smith of Jackson, MO, Paul of Ames, IA, and Glen of Dysart, IA. His parents, Dale and Martha, preceded Dennis's passing.
Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com
So sorry to hear this . Many wonderful hours spent with him and Marilyn playing in the yard as kids. Very close to this family but distance ( I moved in 1965) we’ve sadly lost touch. May happy memories begin to diminish the sadness. Love, Vickie Skortman Levitt
Glen, I am sorry for your loss. I got to know Dennis and Betty at Heartland Baptist a few years back. He knew my Dad from working at the Ames Lab. Prayers and thought for your family Glen Catus
We have lots of years of memories of Ames High football games watching the chain gang. With sympathy to all your family, Emmett and Mary Stevermer
When someone you love becomes a memory,
The memory becomes a treasure...
You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Denny, may you Rest In Paradise...
Denny and Charlie Yoeger built lots of props for our garden displays. Here they are with a shipwrecked boat. Amazing craftsmen!
Please accept our sympathies. We liked working with Denny. We'll keep him in our prayers Betty.
My condolences to you, Betty, and all your family. Denny will be truly missed by so many. I knew you mostly from Roosevelt School and Cub Scouts. We took on Cub Scouts for a few weeks until Denny's schedule allowed him to take over. He, of course, knew what to do with a bunch of young boys much better than I. They always enjoyed his being a leader.
Betty, I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers to you and your family.
I was able to get to know Denny better at the Reiman Garden. He welcomed me when I first started volunteering. He was always friendly and supportive, helping our with projects whenever he was needed. I will miss him.
I worked with Denny in the photo department at Ames Lab for five years in the early 1990's. I was hired to do video work and to help out with the photo work as needed. Denny taught me everything about shooting, developing and printing and was the most patient teacher ever! It amazed me that he would ride his bike to work nearly year-round (I gave him a ride home once when it was too snowy/slippery for him to ride back up 13th Street) and rode so many RAGBRAIs. I actually ran into him on RAGBRAI once; it was raining and I had no rain gear, so he gave me a garbage bag to wear for the rest of the ride. His generous, kind-hearted nature, sense of humor, and talent as a photographer will be what I remember most about Denny. I am so grateful to have known him and to have had the pleasure to work with and learn from him. My deepest condolences to Betty and the family. He will be missed!
Hard at work at Ames Lab
I met Denny while working at Reiman Gardens. He certainly was a jack if all trades who could build or fix anything. He always had a smile and always made everyone smile. I would often sit with Denny and Betty at Reiman Gardens brown bag lunches.
My condolences go out to Betty and your family.
Gloria Erickson
I am so sorry to think of Denny no longer among us. He was he nicest fellow and always had a smile, a twinkle in his eyes, and a good word to share. I knew Denny at the Ames Lab and he was the perfect photographer. Just one look at him and you just had to smile. He will really be missed.
He will be missed. I knew him both through Ames lab and the Ames Amiga Users Group. Our shared interests of photography, the outdoors, and computers made being with him a real joy. Please accept my condolences on your loss. Tom Meyer
Betty and family, so sorry to hear of your loss, he will be greatly missed
Betty and family: Our deepest sympathy and blessings to you and your family in your loss🙏
Betty and family: Deepest sympathy and blessings to you and your family in your loss🙏
I'm so sorry for your loss, Betty and family. I worked over 20 years with Denny and have many fond memories--working with photography for program reviews, etc. He was the second person I met when hired at Ames Laboratory. I remember all the leaves he and Hal would bring for my organic garden in the fall until he had to cut the tree. He was a great person to all he met. Prayers and thoughts to you all.
I'm so sorry for your loss. I had the pleasure of working with Denny at the Ames Lab. He was a great photographer and person.
So sorry for your loss. Denny was obviously such a good man.
I’m so sorry for your loss. Denny always had a smile..... he will be missed by many! Thoughts and prayers to the family.
Very sorry for your loss. Denny always had a smile and great energy.
Dennis was truly a great guy. His service on the chain crew at Ames High football games was little short of miraculous - every game for so many years. He was also a fun person to talk with - really about any sport. I’m sorry to learn of his passing.
So sorry for your loss. He was a gem.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. We always enjoyed visiting with Denny when we would see him. Wishing you peace and comfort.
Denny was always there providing a fun comment or a helping hand with my cousin Betty at every family event. He will be greatly missed!
I and many others of the AHS class of 1961 looked up to Denny, he always was willing to give of his time and talents, RIP.
Gary Clem
Betty and family, so sorry for your loss. Lots if good memories as next door neighbor, being babysitter for the boys and occasional meetings as permanent Ames residents. Love to you all.
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Ames, IA 50010
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Ames, IA 50010
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