David A. Bartz 1953-2009

MC LEISH, BARTZ, LARSON, DECKER, PANKONEN, WEDEMEIER, BIVINS

Posted By: Nancy (email)
Date: 5/31/2009 at 19:38:38

David A. Bartz, 56, of Monona, Iowa, died Monday, May 11, 2009, at Central Community Hospital, Elkader, following a sudden illness.

Funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 15, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, McGregor. The Rev. David Zimmer officiated. Organist Lois Dummermuth provided music.

Interment with military honors was in the Monona City Cemetery, Monona. Casket bearers were Leon Dibble, Matt Dummermuth, Cory Bartz, Tyler Wedemeier, Bryan Wiebensohn, and Joe Connor. Honorary casket bearers were Ronnie Hattig, Rollin Cahoy, Allen Adney, and Sandra Glawe.

Leonard Funeral Home, Monona, was in charge of arrangements.

David Alan Bartz was born Jan. 15, 1953, in Oelwein to Arnold and Delores (McLeish) Bartz. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Peter Lutheran Church in Westgate.

David graduated from West Central High School in 1971.

Following graduation, he entered the United States Air Force on Feb. 24, 1972, and was honorably discharged on Feb. 1, 1978. Those years he spent in Mississippi, California and Alaska. While in California, he realized his dream of obtaining his private pilot's license.

On Feb. 10, 1973, David was united in marriage with Ann Larson at East Clermont Lutheran Church, rural Clermont. Three children were born to this union.

David, Ann and their children farmed from 1978-1997 near Maynard, Fredericksburg, McGregor and Monona. In 1996, David also started driving semi.

He was an avid reader. David read and reread books from his own collection, as well as those from libraries. He enjoyed attending his children's and grandchildren's activities. He loved his family and spending time with all of his grandchildren, who knew him best as "Grandpa Dave." He will be deeply missed by the many people who knew him.

David was preceded in death by an infant sister, Laurie Kay Bartz; his father-in-law, LaVerne Larson; and his paternal and maternal grandparents.

Survivors include his parents, Arnold and Delores Bartz of Westgate; his wife, Ann, of Monona; three children, Amy (Tracy) Decker of Monona, Sara (Miles) Pankonen of Ames, Joel (Rachel) Bartz of Van Meter; nine grandchildren, Bryce, Peyton, Micah, Karter, Kashton, Maddison, Karsyn, Dalton, Kara; baby girl Bartz is due in June.

Additional survivors include David's mother-in-law, Marilyn Larson of Elgin; two brothers, Greg (Sandy) Bartz of Oelwein and Brian (Christy) Bartz of Marion; two sisters, Kenda (Kevin) Wedemeier and Deann Bivins, both of Westgate; and a host of other family and friends.

Fayette County Union - 20 May 2009