DENICE KAE CREVELING
Denice Kae (Rossow) Creveling was a caring and fun-loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. She entered eternal rest on October 11, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer.
Denice was born to Robert and Connie (Koithan) Rossow on November 3, 1953 in Sioux City, IA, along with her twin sister Diana (Rossow) Rice. They were later joined by another sister, Sheryl (Rossow) Palmer.
Denice attended school in Mapleton, IA and attended college at Midland Lutheran College in Fremont, NE. She graduated with a degree in phlebotomy and took her first job as a laboratory technician at the Ringgold County Hospital in Mount Ayr, IA. Being a woman of true faith and trusting in the Lord’s plan for her, Denice sought fellowship and worship by pedaling her bicycle to the First Lutheran Church every Sunday.
With the work and faith chapters of her life in place, it was on a beautiful summer day that the next chapter in the Lord’s plan for Denice was set into action. She was brought to the Creveling family lot at Sun Valley Lake by mutual friends of hers and the Creveling families. After a day of sunshine, swimming and learning to ski, she needed a ride back home to Mount Ayr. Ronnie Creveling offered to give her a ride, and that was the beginning of a beautiful relationship that would last the rest of her life. They began dating, six months later they were engaged, and then married at the Lutheran Church in Mapleton, IA on July 11, 1976.
Denice and Ronnie spent the first few years after their wedding traveling together, enjoying dances and good times with friends at the Sun Valley Clubhouse and building their first home together.
In 1981, Timothy Robert, their firstborn son arrived. Soon after he was born, Denice decided that her place was to be at home raising children, and she quit her job at the hospital. Shortly after quitting, their first daughter, Dara Kae, was born in 1982. Cari Jo arrived in 1985, and the surprise last baby of the family, Ray Lee arrived in 1989.
Denice loved being at home to care for Ronnie and the kids. She was a devoted wife and mother who always found time for her family, friends and the Lord. She was known for her positive attitude, and once said, “You can choose to have your glass half full or half empty. Mine is always half full. There is joy to be found in every day.”
Caring for others brought joy to Denice, and the arrival of her grandchildren brought even more joy to the days. Kelbey, EmmaLeigh, Easton, Kasen, Hudsen, Rylan and Kembra were the most beautiful chapters in her life. She enjoyed caring for each of them and made a point to stock their favorite treats in the drawers and cook their favorite meals when they came for Grandma and Grandpa days.
Denice has left a lasting legacy of faith, family, friends and food. She was the BEST cook and hostess! She will be missed by everyone for her ability to brighten someone’s day and make them feel loved. Those left to cherish her legacy include her husband, Ronnie Creveling, son, Tim Creveling (Jennifer), daughters, Dara (Kim) Greenland and Cari (David) Head, grandchildren, Easton and EmmaLeigh Creveling, Kelbey, Hudsen and Kembra Greenland, Kasen and Rylan Head, sister, Sheryl Palmer, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Those passing before Denice and joyously welcoming her at Heaven’s gate include her son, Ray Lee Creveling, granddaughter, Graysen Kaelee Greenland, nephews, Donald Palmer and Robert Palmer, sister, Diane Rice, parents, Bob and Connie Rossow, and parents-in-law, Lee and Donella Creveling.
Denice, you have been a wonderful example of God’s love.
Visitation was held at Armstrong Funeral Home in Mount Ayr on Wednesday, October 13 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, October 14 at the Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Mount Ayr with Rev John Rutz officiating.
Casketbearers were Tim Creveling, David Head, Kim Greenland, Kevin Creveling, Nathan Creveling.
Honorary casketbearaers were Kelbey Greenland, EmmaLeigh Creveling, Easton Creveling, Kasen Head, Hudsen Greenland, Rylan Head and Kembra Greenland.
Burial followed in the Ellston Cemetery.
Memorials are to the Ellston Community Center and EveryStep Hospice in Mount Ayr.