In Memory of Wayne N. Dankert

Wayne N. Dankert, age 84, of Ida Grove, Iowa passed away on Saturday, January 8, 2022, at the Odebolt Specialty Care of Odebolt, Iowa.

A Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Friday, January 14, 2022, at the St. Paul Lutheran Church of Ida Grove, Iowa. Rev. Richard A. Salcido will officiate. Military Rites will be conducted by the McNamara-Moore Post No. 61 of the American Legion of Ida Grove, Iowa. Committal Services will follow in the Ida Grove Cemetery of Ida Grove, Iowa. A Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., on Thursday, January 13, 2022, at the Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa.  

The Christensen-Van Houten Funeral Home of Ida Grove, Iowa, is in charge of the funeral arrangements. Condolences may be sent online at www.christensenvanhouten.com

Wayne Norman Dankert, the son of Albert and Clara (Luebke) Dankert, was born on March 13, 1937, in rural Palmer in Merrick County, Nebraska. He attended rural elementary school and graduated from Palmer High School. He farmed with his father and on an aunt’s farm prior to volunteering for the military draft in Merrick County. After basic and advanced training, he served in northern Italy in a guided missile battalion. After active duty, he attended the University of Nebraska where he graduated with a Master of Science in Agriculture. While a student at UNL, Wayne regularly attended Sunday services at the University Lutheran Chapel. 

Wayne moved to Iowa and worked on soil surveys in Page, Lyon, Dickinson, O’Brien, Muscatine, Ida, and Monona counties. His faith remained a priority in his life and he transferred church membership with each move. He served on church boards in most churches and taught Sunday school at Our Savior in Muscatine, Iowa. At St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ida Grove, Iowa, Wayne served as an elder for two terms and was a trustee for one term. 

The move to Ida Grove was good for Wayne because he met his future wife, Geraldine Christie. On October 17, 1987, Wayne and Geraldine were united in marriage in the St. Paul Lutheran Church making the following years the happiest of his life. Following heart problems in 2018, Wayne and Geraldine moved to Golden Horizons Assisted Living in Ida Grove and most recently were residents in the Odebolt Specialty Care of Odebolt, Iowa, until their passing. 

Left to cherish his memory include sister-in-law Julie Christie of Schleswig, IA; nephews: David (Holly) Dankert of Evanston, IL, Darren (Judy) Dankert of Phoenix, AZ, Kevin (Peggy) Christie of Ida Grove, IA, Kirk Christie of Slater, IA and Keith (Amy) Christie of Council Bluffs, IA; great nephews: Bradley (Melodie) Christie, Nathan Christie and Alex Christie; great niece Courtney Christie; great-great niece Ellie Orcutt; great-great nephew Cole Christie; extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents Albert and Clara Dankert; wife Geraldine Dankert (July 2021); brother Gerald Dankert; in-laws Gerald and Rosina Christie; and brother-in-law Bruce Christie.