Funeral services and Mass of Christian Burial for Randall J. “Randy” “R.D.” Denner, 69, of Eldridge, were at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove. Burial was in St. Ann’s Cemetery, Long Grove. Visitation was held Friday from 4 until 7 p.m. at the church, with additional visitation taking place on Saturday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of the service at church. Randy died Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2024, at his home. As was Randy’s way, his giving nature was recognized once again as an organ donor.
Randall James Denner was born on May 12, 1954, in Marshalltown, a son of James W. and Lois J. (Shufelt) Denner. He graduated from Waverly–Shell Rock High School in 1972, where he excelled in basketball, football, and baseball, playing for his father, who was a teacher and head baseball coach. He then attended Luther College, where he played basketball and baseball and graduated in 1976. R.D. later earned his master’s degree from Western Illinois in 1990.
Randy was united in marriage to Susan Loussaert on April 25, 1981, at St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Long Grove. They have shared over 42 years of marriage.
Randy began his 34-year teaching career at North Scott High School in 1976 in the social studies department, primarily teaching American history. R.D. was the voice of the Lancers for nearly 40 years as the public address announcer for most of the home athletic events and was the originator of the Lancer cheer! He was named Iowa Public Address Announcer of the Year in 2005 by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. R.D. also served as head baseball coach and golf coach and was an assistant in the basketball and track programs. He bled scarlet and silver. Randy retired in 2010 from teaching at North Scott, but continued to sub in the North Scott and Bettendorf school districts. He was inducted into the North Scott Athletic Hall of Fame in 2012 and was an “honorary thespian” of the North Scott Drama Department.
When Randy wasn’t supporting the Lancers, he was rooting for his Luther Norse, Iowa Hawkeyes, Atlanta Braves, and Minnesota Vikings. He also enjoyed reading, especially about politics and history, and enjoyed playing pinochle with friends, Denny Johnson, Bob Rhinehart, Paul Adkins, and Frank Wood. Randy was a man of great faith and enjoyed people and making connections during conversations. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Memorials may be made to Lancer Legacy, North Scott Education Foundation, St. Ann’s Catholic Church, Norse Athletic Association, Vera French, or the Genesis Foundation.
Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Sue, Eldridge; daughters: Erin Denner, Eldridge, and Kayla (Tim) Freeman, Minneapolis, Minn.; grandsons: Cameron and George Freeman; his mother, Lois Denner, and sister Patty Denner, both of Waverly; and his large extended Loussaert family.
He was preceded in death by his father, Jim, and his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Elizabeth Loussaert. May they rest in peace.
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