David W. Gurwell
GURWELL, THOMPSON
Posted By: Sarah Fletcher (email)
Date: 11/21/2023 at 09:44:34
Holding his wife’s hand, David W. Gurwell, 71, of Iowa City, passed away into The Great Unknown on October 29, 2023. His passing followed 15 months of living life as fully as he could while being treated for brain cancer.
A Service of Remembrance will be held 3:30 PM, Thursday, November 9, 2023 at the Terry Trueblood Pavilion, 579 McCollister Blvd, Iowa City, IA. Visitation will be from 3 PM to 5 PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to The Birdhouse Hospice Home of Johnson County or to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
David is survived by Adelaide, his wife of 50 years; his two much loved children, Noland (Jessica) Gurwell of Cedar Rapids and Leandra (David) Thompson of Kansas City; and his beloved grandchildren Thais, Penelope, and Lian Thompson and Grayson, Mira, and Grant Gurwell.
He is also survived by his three brothers John, Jay, and Dana of Des Moines, and several dear nieces and nephews. Additionally, David is survived by his “little brother” of many years, Rich Redfern of Iowa City.
In 2010, David retired as the Assistant Director of the Iowa City School’s Physical Plant where he had worked for 25 years.
David embraced life with high energy and a huge enthusiasm. He could build anything; he could visit with anyone. He was a talented artist and musician who had a truly creative soul.
David died a rich man . . . rich in generosity of spirit, in artistic creativity and in friendship. He had a wealth of paintings, sculptures, and other art he created; a plethora of golf balls; a deep investment in music; and myriad of friends from every decade of his life. He often created sets for the Old Capitol Chorus with whom he performed.
The family wishes to thank the University of Iowa Palliative Care team, Iowa City Hospice staff and Dr. Michelle Weckmann, as well as The Bird House Hospice staff and the End of Life Doulas, who carried us in their arms and hearts for two months.
David’s legacy will live on in his wife, children, and his grandchildren (for whom he was a great role model) and in his art, flowers, the memories of meals he cooked, and the fragrances of his homemade breads.
David shared the love of travel, camping, and fishing with his wife who will forever take comfort in an extraordinary store of wonderful memories.
Lensing Funeral & Cremation Service
Johnson Obituaries maintained by Cindy Booth Maher.
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