Denny E. Criger, the son of Ray E. and Luella E. (Osborne) Criger, was born on August 2, 1948 in Auburn, Nebraska. He attended Auburn High School.

On September 25, 1972, Denny was united in marriage to Georgia McAfee in Auburn. They soon moved to Liberal, Kansas where Denny was employed by National Beef, and their first child, Candy was born. They then returned to Auburn where Denny was employed by the EXCEL Beef Plant in Rock Port, Missouri. Their son Clint was also born during this time. In the late 1970’s they moved to Brownville, Nebraska, where Denny organized the first ever little league football team, the Brownville Badgers! It was at this time, Denny also became interested in the history of Brownville and Nebraska. In 1983, Denny and Georgia moved to Rock Port, Missouri where they lived to the present time. Following the close of EXCEL, Denny became employed at Con-Agra in Hamburg, Iowa. Approximately eight years ago Denny became disabled. He used the time to become an avid reader and learn more history.

Denny was a loyal follower of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He loved reading and watching old movies, but his greatest love was his grandchildren. He was a gentle grandpa whose grandchildren had him wrapped around their fingers. Denny also enjoyed driving with his mother throughout the countryside, while listening to Husker football games on the radio.

Besides his parents, Denny is preceded in death by a brother, Orville (Bus) Rhoades.

Survivors include his wife Georgia, of their home in Rock Port; two daughters, Jennifer Nichols, Auburn, and Candy Jennings and her husband Kurt, Wilmington, North Carolina; one son, Clint Criger and his wife Holly, Rock Port; six grandchildren, Cal Nichols, Sean, Corielle and Ryan Jennings, and Trejan and Cayden Criger; one sister, Franny Scott, Auburn; brother-in-law Gene McAfee, Maryville, Missouri; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial Services: Saturday, February 2, 2008, 11:00 am, Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port, Missouri.
There is no visitation.
A private family inurnment will be held at a later date.
Memorials: Denny Criger Memorial Fund.
Services are under the direction of Minter Funeral Chapel, Rock Port.