Dennis (Denny) Wayne Sailsbury, age 78, passed away at his Ames, IA home on March 6, 2021 surrounded by his family. A gathering of friends and family will be 4-6:00 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at Grandon Funeral and Cremation Care, 414 Lincoln Way Ames, with a 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 12, graveside service at Ames Municipal Cemetery. Masks and social distancing are required at both events.

Dennis was born in Ames, Iowa on September 24, 1942. He was the oldest of four children of Dale and Martha Sailsbury. He was a graduate of Ames High School and resided in Ames his entire life.

Dennis married Betty Borg, of Forest City, IA, on October 3, 1964. He had a passion for photography and worked at the Ames Laboratory as a photographer for over 40 years. He carried his passion of photography into his family vacations and holiday celebrations. He was heavily involved with his children’s (Hal, Eric, and Dan) activities. He rarely missed a practice or a game. He helped coached the sports teams they were involved in and was a cub scout leader for each of his three boys. He took many ski trips with his sons and grandchildren.

He was also devoted to his seven grandchildren (Chelsea, Alex, Jack, Roman, Calvin, Max, and Jonah). His grandkids had many overnights at grandpa and grandma’s house as they loved how he allowed them to stay up late to watch movies, eat chips and salsa, and make malts with grandpa. The morning always greeted the kids with his famous pancakes, as he was the only one that knew how to make them the “right way”.

He was a teacher at heart, as he loved teaching life skills to his kids and grandchildren on how to drive a boat, fish, camp, build wood working projects, and how to enjoy life.

Everyone knew Dennis as an avid RAGBRAI rider as he rode RAGBRAI for 27 years. After he decided not to ride anymore, he would provide support in transporting gear and setting up tents for his kids and grandkids when they would join the ride regularly.

Dennis was a staple in his involvement with Ames High School Football. During football season, for 40 years, you could find him on Friday nights volunteering his time at Ames High football games running the chains on the sidelines marking first downs. Because of his dedication and years of service, he received a distinguished service award from the Ames High School Athletic Department.
Dennis loved camping. He took his family on numerous camping trips over the years and spent many years with his sons and grandchildren on canoe trips in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Northern Minnesota.

In retirement, he worked part time at Reiman Gardens at Iowa State University as a jack of all trades. He spent many hours building displays, performing maintenance on equipment, and mentored many of the student workers.

He was a member of the Golden K Kiwanis.

Dennis never turned down an opportunity to try something new, because he was always a kid at heart.

Dennis is survived by his wife, Betty; son Hal (Dana) and their three children, Chelsea Bright (Isaac and great-grandchild due May 27, 2021), Alex (fiancé Kiki Kramer), and Jack; son Eric (Margene) and their son Roman (fiancé Morgan Warbalow); son Dan (Megan) and their three sons Calvin, Max, and Jonah; his siblings Marilyn Smith of Jackson, MO, Paul of Ames, IA, and Glen of Dysart, IA. His parents, Dale and Martha, preceded Dennis’s passing.

Online condolences may be directed to: www.grandonfuneralandcremationcare.com