Dennis Dean Underbakke, age 82, of Forest City, Iowa died peacefully on Thursday, April 15, 2010 at the Muse Norris Hospice Inpatient Unit in Mason City, Iowa. Dennis was the son of Bert and Alida (Oswald) Underbakke, born on August 12, 1927 at Rake, Iowa. He was baptized and confirmed at Liberty Lutheran Church in Rake. Dennis graduated from Rake High School in 1944. After graduation, he joined the United States Navy and was stationed in the Philippines. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Iowa and attended Waldorf College in Forest City, Iowa and Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. On September 25, 1948, he married Alyce Reena Okland at Liberty Lutheran Church in Rake. The made their home in Rake until 1954 when they moved to Thompson, Iowa. Thompson would be where they would live, work, and raise their four children. Early in his career he was the co-owner of the Thompson Produce and later worked for many years at People's State Bank. He enjoyed fishing, golfing and hunting but was the happiest when he was with his family. The Underbakke family were members of the Bethany Lutheran Church in Thompson and Dennis was a member of the VFW. Memorial services were held at the Bethany Lutheran Church and military rites were conducted by the Thompson Veterans Ceremonial Unit.
Dennis Dean Underbakke was preceded in death by his parents; his two sisters, Muriel Leibrand and Audrey Underbakke; and his two brothers Bevis Underbakke and Deryl Underbakke. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Alyce of Forest City, Iowa; four children Bruce (Jean) Underbakke of Morristown, Minnesota, Joan (Ray) Furst of Randall, Iowa, William (Deb) Underbakke of Bemidji, Minnesota, and Cynthia Kay "Cid" Underbakke of Albert Lea, Minnesota; four grandchildren Cortney (Brett) Hyland, Dena (Rick Eftink), Eric Etherington, and Alex Underbakke; and two great-granddaughters Elizabeth and Meredith Hyland. Dennis will be missed by all and will be remembered for his wonderful sense of humor and kind heart.