Denis Whiteaker

March 20, 1950 - November 2, 2019

Denis Roi Whiteaker, 69, passed away on November 2, 2019 in Wadena, Minnesota. Denis was born in Quincy, IL to Beulah and Earl Whiteaker on March 20, 1950. He graduated from Parkway Senior High School in St. Louis in 1968 and went on to attend Central Methodist University, where in 1971 he received his BA in Speech, English, Education and Theatre. He worked as a Branch Manager for Lance, Inc. for 13 years before moving to New Orleans to become a Director at the Vocational Training Center. After 7 years in that position, Denis moved on to work in the field for which he was most passionate: education. He taught English and Forensics at Slater High School in Slater, MO and coached a record-setting speech team that went to the MO state tournament every year during his tenure. Denis then spent several years in Kansas City working as Admissions Director for the Aviation Institute of Maintenance before moving to Wadena, Minnesota to be near his dear friend, the late Mary Brauch. Denis is preceded in death by his mother Beulah (Ross) Whiteaker, his father Earl Roy Whiteaker, his brother Hal Von Whiteaker, and his sister-in-law, Janey (Mathis) Whiteaker. Denis is survived by his niece, Kelly (Whiteaker) Stephens and his nephew Aaron Mathis Whiteaker. Memorials may be given to ASPCA (www.aspca.org). The service and burial will be private with only family present. Thank you to all who have reached out with condolences.