Dennis "Denny" Lee Goodnow

Dennis “Denny” Lee Goodnow was born in Topeka, KS on April 21, 1951. He passed away on December 5, 2025, in his home after a long illness. He attended Silver Lake school and graduated in 1969. Denny was born to his parents, Clyde and Betty Goodnow. His father, Clyde preceded him in death on December 20, 2018. Denny was the middle sibling of three children. He was preceded in death by his older brother, Darrell Goodnow (Lynda), and his great niece, Kayla. He is survived by his mother, Betty, who took care of him from the day he was born until he passed away at his home, in his sleep. He is also survived by his sister, Janice, the youngest sibling, who lives in Auburn, Kansas. Other survivors include a niece, Elisa Lowrey (Larry) of Silver Lake, KS and a great-niece, Kendra Lowrey and her children; Bentley and Paisley of Silver Lake, and great niece Kira Lowrey and niece, Hadley Goodnow, Topeka, and her children: Mason, Brooke, and Vincent. Denny was preceded in death by numerous other family members. He had many friends in the Springfield and Silver Lake vicinities.

After Clyde passed, Betty and Denny were quite a team and shared responsibilities of running their household together. Betty was his best friend and never left his side throughout his entire life- a truly dedicated mother.

Denny’s many interests and earning a living, included making fishing rods (fly rods, etc.) from blanks and selling them. Him and his dad repaired fishing reels, and did small engine repairs on lawn mowers, lawn tractors and rototillers etc. Denny was a gifted musician that learned to play by ear (self-taught) the guitar and banjo and sang. Denny and Betty traveled to nearby establishments, and Denny would sing and play guitar and banjo. Mom would carry all instruments in and help to set everything up. He was an avid fisherman all of his life. He especially loved fly fishing for trout at Roaring River State Park and bass fishing at Table Rock Lake with his dad, Clyde.

He made quite an impression and was liked by all who met him. He was courageous and never complained about being disabled as a result of contracting polio at 5 1/2 months of age. It is believed that he succumbed to Post Polio Syndrome that attacked him, starting in December of 2023. He never considered himself to be disabled. He enjoyed life to the fullest, playing baseball with Janice pitching and him batting from a lawn chair, going fishing etc. He was courageous and uncomplaining til the day he was set free at the time of his passing-an unsung hero. He will be deeply missed and carried with love in the hearts of all who had the privilege to know the man he was-no brace or crutches could ever hold him back from his dreams and accomplishments in life.

A celebration of his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2025 at Parker-Price & Davidson Funeral Home, 245 NW Independence Ave., Topeka, KS 66608. Private burial will take place at Prairie Home Cemetery in Topeka. 

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