Candlelight Vigil, Funeral Services Set for Ankeny Teacher, Tennis Coach

From an Ankeny school district news release:

A candlelight vigil will be held Sunday evening for an Ankeny teacher and coach, and two memorial funds have been set up in his honor, according to a news release from the school district.

Dennis Hoefle, 41, a social studies teacher and Ankeny varsity tennis coach, died Thursday after having suffered a sudden brain aneurism on Wednesday.

Hoefle was an graduate who student-taught in Ankeny and later joined the faculty in 1995. He taught at both the elementary and middle school levels, and served as a coach in a number of capacities since 1996, including the varsity tennis coaching position, the district release said.

“I join you in remembrance of Dennis and the great work he did for so many students and athletes. He will most certainly be missed by those who worked and knew him well, and we all share in mourning his loss,” said Superintendent Matthew Wendt in the release. “This heartbreaking event serves as a reminder of the uncertainty of life. The thoughts and prayers of our faculty, staff, and certainly our community will be with Dennis’ wife, Val; his two sons, Brody and Callen, and his extended family.”

• A community candlelight vigil will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 1, at the tennis courts, 1010 N.W. Prairie Ridge Drive. Those attending are asked to bring a candle.

• A visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 2, at the Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines, 925 Jordan Creek Parkway.

• Funeral services for Hoefle will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, at the Lutheran Church of Hope in West Des Moines.

Two memorial funds have been designated by the family to receive gifts and memorials. The Hoefle Family Memorial Fund has been set up to help support Hoefle's children and to pay for education, and Up With Down is an advocacy and support group for children with Down Syndrome. 

Memorials may be sent to: The Hoefle Family Memorial Fund South Story Bank, 501 Linn St., Slater, IA, 50244 or Up With Down, GiGi's Playhouse, 10430 New York Ave., Suite A Des Moines, IA, 50322.

A teacher is being secured for Hoefle's classes, and the district’s crisis counseling plan has been activated. Counselors will be available to meet with any student or staff member affected by Hoefle's death.

Classes return from winter break on Jan. 4 in Ankeny.