Todd F. Wollenzien

It is with deep sadness we announce Todd Wollenzien, 60, passed away on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at MercyOne Hospital in West Des Moines, Iowa. After a long battle with cancer, he passed peacefully in his sleep with his family at his bedside, after a day full of exchanging stories about him and his contagious humor.

Todd was born to Francis and Jane (Barnard) Wollenzien in Waverly, Iowa, on June 15, 1965. From a young age he was rambunctious, funny, kind, and an intelligent spirit, who was a friend to everyone he met. He spent many mornings helping out in their well-known family bakery, Waverly Home Bakery, and enjoyed participating in many extracurriculars like theatre, chess, football, and swimming. He would go on to play college football and receive a degree in Biology at Wartburg College. He participated in club rugby at Wartburg and later for the University of Iowa collegiate club, where he made many lifelong friends. Family, friends, coworkers, and classmates all say that to know Todd was to love him, as he had a special way of making people feel seen and welcomed. While living in Iowa City, he worked as a Medical Technologist for the Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics Lab. It was at this lab where he met his future wife, Joan Lickteig, as well as many other wonderful friends. On October 17, 1992, Todd and Joan wed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Iowa City, a day he described as “a perfect fall day”. Together, they welcomed two daughters, Mackenzie and Natalie, who were the absolute joys of his life. After working in the lab for 10 years, he and his now family of four (plus his beloved cat, Scrummy) moved to West Des Moines, Iowa, where he went on to work as a pharmaceutical and medical sales rep.

Todd will be remembered for his love of rugby, experimentation with new cooking recipes, a fondness of cats, his lifelong friends, and most importantly, his devotion to his family. Nothing brought him more joy than spending time with his wife and daughters, whether it was just binge -watching Friends or Survivor on the couch or going on a road trip (taking the scenic route, of course). He valued family time above all else. He loved staying in cabins on various lakes in Northern Minnesota with family as well, where he enjoyed fishing, waterskiing, playing golf and joking around. He was also a deep thinker and an avid reader, who loved reading everything from John Grisham to Stephen King to Excalibur, and enjoyed writing the funniest Christmas newsletters every year. A self-proclaimed foodie, he always said he’s never met a pizza he didn’t like, and delighted in trying out new restaurants, starting with ordering a cheeseburger and fries. Many Saturdays were devoted to cheering on the Iowa Hawkeyes football team from his couch or local sports bar, and often loudly! In the summers, he loved grilling corn and steak, and having peaceful bonfires with family in the evening where he told stories of all kinds. He was also incredibly intelligent and always had a fun fact at the ready, particularly if it had to do with Iowa, and loved making people laugh (he had a knack for doing impressions). He also enjoyed taking long drives and exploring new neighborhoods, and always said driving helped him clear his mind. He was a beloved presence, deeply caring and protective of those he loved, loyal to the end, and he left a lasting impression on everyone he knew. He was often admired for his strength, both physically and mentally, and he remained strong up through the very end.

He is survived by his wife, Joan Wollenzien; his children, Mackenzie and Natalie; his mother, Jane; and his sister, Tessa (Terry) Hemann. Todd was preceded in death by his father, Francis.

A Celebration of Todd’s Life will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Des Moines Rugby Clubhouse, 120 39th Street in West Des Moines, Iowa.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Cancer Society of Iowa and Furry Friends Refuge.

The family would like to thank the MercyOne Hospital and Hospice services for their wonderful care and compassion shown to Todd and our family during this time.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com or at ToddWollenzien.com.

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