Denise B. Despenas

Denise B. Despenas, 68, of Kensett, passed away Sunday, December 22, 2019 at MercyOne North Iowa Hospice in Mason City.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M., Monday, December 30, 2019 at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City with Rev. Art Zewert, Chaplain at Hospice of North Iowa, officiating. Burial will be at Elmwood - St. Joseph Cemetery in Mason City.

Visitation will be held from 3 to 5 P.M., Sunday, December 29th at Major Erickson Funeral Home and will continue one hour prior to services at the funeral home on Monday.

Denise Bette Despenas, the daughter of Isidore and Clara (Steinhoff) VonBank, was born September 14, 1951 at Jordan, Minnesota. She was married to Peter Despenas for 40 years, before he passed away on April 17, 2018. Denise was employed at Wonder Bread/Hostess Cake in Mason City for nearly 32 years before they closed in November of 2012. She enjoyed the “family” of employees she worked with and visiting with her customers. With her husband at her side, she enjoyed gardening, canning the fruits of their labor and sharing with family and friends, and any outdoor work or activity during the summer! Favorite pastimes included following the Minnesota Vikings, golfing with her husband, Peter, and listening to him play his guitar and sing to her.

Denise is survived by her step children, Chris (Janie) Despenas of Hampton, VA, David (Trixie) Despenas of Elk Horn, Iowa and Becky (Scott) Brant of San Antonio, TX; grandchildren, Lydia, David, Joshua, Tasha, Eric, Brandon, Angel, Joshua, Emily, Carter and Madison; great grandchildren, Ryler, Owynn, Noah, Ellie and Demitrius; brothers and sisters, Harry (Arlene) VonBank of New Prague, Minnesota, Julie Hennes of Jordan, MN Bonnie Theis of Prior Lake, Minnesota, Karen Kramer of Watkins, Minnesota, Dan (Erika) VonBank of Grand Forks, Canada, Noreen (Bill) Giesen of New Prague, MN and twin brother, Denny (Dotty) VonBank of New Prague, Minnesota; many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and nephews.

Denise was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Peter; brother, Gene VonBank; sister-in-law, Betty Ann VonBank; brothers-in-law, Norman Theis, Mervin Henness, Roger Kramer, Chris “Spike” Despenas and William “Billy” Despenas; and nephews, Gordon Kramer and Dale Von Bank.