Denise Ann (Denahy) Gregoire

Denise Gregoire, 75, of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away at home on Thursday, May 11, 2023. She was a fighter until the very end and was sent to heaven surrounded by her loving family.

Visitation will be from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 16, 2023, at Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, May 17, 2023, at Sts. Philip & James Catholic Church in Grand Mound, where Denise was a lifelong member. Father David Brownfield will be officiating and burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Denise was welcomed to this world on September 13, 1947, by Ray and Althea (Ryan) Denahy. She was born in Clinton, IA and never strayed too far from home.  She was as Midwest as they come and her family always came first. What she learned around the farm during her formative years was evident in everything she did. She was affectionately called “Little Ray” around her home because of her ability to fix anything and everything, plus a work ethic that never quit.

Denise graduated from Central DeWitt Community School in 1965 and has been cheering on the Sabers ever since. After high school, she attended the University College of Cosmetology in Iowa City, IA and was a hairdresser in Grand Mound for many years. Even after closing that chapter of her life, she put those skills to good use throughout the years, giving countless haircuts at her kitchen counter.

Denise was united in marriage to Chuck Gregoire on September 5, 1985. This union was a long time coming, as their story began on the pages of her baby book where Chuck’s name can be found. Together, they built a beautiful life and fulfilled many dreams over the years. They ran Waterbed Creations in the height of the waterbed boom, and still made time for farming and family. It was during these years that their employees would become lifelong friends.

Denise could often be found in the kitchen, preparing food for company picnics, cooking full course meals to deliver to the fields, or baking cookies for her grandkids. She was not one to sit still or stay inside, there was always work to be done. Denise loved to work in her garden and plant flowers, and learned to not take anything personal while working cattle. One thing was for sure, she taught us that if something was worth doing, it was worth doing right. That includes loading the dishwasher, mowing the lawn, or folding the towels (and knowing which one to use in the kitchen!).

No matter which season it was, Denise could always be found at a ball game of  some sort. She was a constant fan in the stands, always rooting for her children and grandchildren in every activity. She will be fondly remembered for her big bag of snacks, she had something for everyone, but always had twizzlers and would pass them out when a rally was needed! Denise loved her St. Louis Cardinals, bowling, playing euchre, and had a pair of shoes to match every outfit.

Denise is survived by her husband, Chuck, of 38 years. Daughters, Candi (Jerald) Hawkins, Grand Junction, CO; Kelly (Kent) Balog, Grand Junction, CO; Jennifer (Todd) Westphal, Maquoketa, IA; Colleen (Eric) Pratt, Surprise, AZ; Jill (Tom) McNamara, Kasey (Pat) Stock, Gina (Sean) Helton, and Charley (Tyler) Ohnemus, all of DeWitt. Sons, JR Gregoire, Rock Island, Jon Gregoire and Grant (Christina) Gregoire, both of DeWitt. Grandchildren, Jackie (Matt) Keogh, Jess (Zac) Harvey, Duke Hawkins, Tanner and Cassidy Pratt, Reece and Cole Westphal, Colin (Shannon) McNamara, Drew (Sammie Flagel), Sean McNamara, Paige Lindle, Lily Kleinsmith, Griffey and Easton Helton, Makenna, Tenley, Gable and Lawson Ohnemus, Brittan, Trey, Garrett, Noah, Jameson, Alivia, Maddison, Grant Jr, and Aiden Gregoire, Zach Palmer, Chase Palmer, Nick Palmer, and Alexis Palmer (Dylan Hockey). Great-Grandchildren, Gracie, Matthew and Walker Keogh, Evie and Hudson Harvey and Jane and George McNamara.  Sisters, Mary Kae Hintz and Gayle Dolan, DeWitt. One brother, Bob (Joanne) Denahy, Wheatland. Special goddaughters Kari Hefel and Paula Duffy. And numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by a daughter, Jana Palmer, grandson, Riley Westphal, her parents, in-laws, a godson, Chad Hintz, and brother-in-law, Kevin Dolan.

Arrangements are in the care of Schultz Funeral Home, DeWitt.

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