Vander Hamm, David Nelson 1938-2024

VANDERHAMM, WELLS, JOHNSON

Posted By: Marjorie Brunsting-Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/12/2024 at 10:28:14

David Vander Hamm, 85, of Remsen, Iowa, passed away Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at Heartland Care Center in Marcus, Iowa.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Remsen, Iowa. Pastor Alan Cummins will officiate. Graveside service will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, September 9, 2024, at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Ireton, Iowa. Visitation with the family present will be from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 8, 2024, at Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars. Visitation will resume from 10:00 a.m. until service time on Monday at the church. Arrangements are with the Rexwinkel Funeral Home in Le Mars, Iowa. Expressions of sympathy can be extended to the family through www.rexwinkelfh.com.

David Nelson Vander Hamm, the son of Elmer and Mildred (Wells) Vander Hamm, was born on November 10, 1938, in Le Mars, Iowa. He attended school in Ireton and graduated from Ireton High School. After attending South Dakota State University, he served in the Iowa Air National Guard for two years.

He was united in marriage to Shirley Johnson on August 27, 1961, at the Pierson United Methodist Church in Pierson, Iowa. They celebrated 63 years together. Early on, they made their home near Ireton, Iowa, and later near Maurice, Iowa, where they farmed. In 1964, they moved to a farm near Remsen, Iowa. He continued to farm and began his career as a Farm Bureau Insurance Agent in the 1980s. Following his retirement, Dave and Shirley continued to enjoy their tranquil farm near Remsen.

Dave was a member of the American Quarter Horse Association. For over 40 years, he enjoyed building a successful quarter horse breeding program. He also enjoyed seeing his horses shown with much success in Nebraska and nationally.

Dave held many professional and community leadership positions. He served on the Plymouth County Board of Supervisors for 20 years. He also served on the Synergy Board, was Vice Chairman of the Plymouth County Landfill, member of the Northwest Iowa Youth Emergency Services (YES) Center in Cherokee, and a Representative of the Iowa State Association of Counties and on the National Association of Counties Agricultural and Rural Affairs Committee. He served on the Alton Farmers Coop board and was board president for 3 years.

A Farm Bureau member since 1965, Dave received the 2003 Service to Agriculture Award from Iowa Farm Bureau. He served as past President of Plymouth County Farm Bureau, past Chairman of the Plymouth County Extension Council, past Chairman of Plymouth 4-H and Youth Committee, and past President of the Remsen Lions Club. He was a member of Plymouth County Rural Electric Cooperative Board, the Iowa State Extension Advisory Board, and the Siouxland Rural Water Board.

As a dedicated member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Remsen, Dave served as past President of the church council. Dave enjoyed having coffee with his friends and family. He also enjoyed playing cards at C&H Body Shop in Orange City. Dave never met a stranger. He was quick to offer a smile and make a connection. His friendliness was contagious. Above all, he shared his pride in his children and grandchildren most frequently.

Survivors include his wife of 63 years, Shirley of Remsen, IA; a son, Scott (Melissa) Vander Hamm of Ingalls, KS, and their sons, Jhett and Logan; a daughter, Stacy (Neil) Frost of Marshall, MN, and their sons, Landon and Salem; sister, Lois Ann Barbour, Granberry, TX; sister-in-law, Mary (Stan) Pageler, LeMars, IA; brother-in-law, Eugene (Josephine) Johnson, Palmdale, CA; and other relatives.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Mildred Vander Hamm; father and mother-in-law, Earl and Rosa Johnson; sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Virgil Mauer; brother-in-law, Jim Barbour; and brother-in-law, Marvin Janssen.

Source: Rexwinkel Funeral Home online obituary.