David Ganfield

David was born to Richard and Elaine Ganfield on October 4th, 1954 in Paducah, Kentucky. He grew up the middle of five siblings on the family farm in Cascade, Iowa, and graduated from Western Dubuque High School in l973.

He continued his education at Midwest Technical College in Kansas City studying auto mechanics. After graduation he worked for Phillips Petroleum, operating a station in Des Moines. Over the years, David worked in a variety of industries. He worked for American Federal Savings and Loan as an electronic banking specialist. Eventually, he settled at Unity Point Health in the billing department where he worked until his retirement.

David's family was his greatest pride and joy. He married Catherine Petersen on August 21, 1976, in Cascade Iowa, and made their home in Des Moines, Iowa. They had two children, Greg and Emily. Throughout the years, he was very involved in his children's activities, coaching sports teams, chaperoning church mission trips, attending school events, and welcoming every friend his kids brought home as if they were his own.

Over the years, the family added three grandchildren, Alex, Emmett, and Owen. David did as much as he could with the grandsons. There were trips to the zoo, fishing lessons, rides on his walker, and sword fights with his cane. Mobility became more difficult as his disease progressed but he attended as many of their events as he could. He always did his best to care for and be there for his family.

David was a man of many talents. He loved music from a young age. He played in several bands including a rock band in high school and later in life, a Christian rock band called the Joshua Band. He was great with a guitar and okay on the keyboard. He loved to sing; it didn’t matter if it was in the car or in the church choir. He loved listening to classic rock and had a huge memory of songs and musicians.

David could fix almost anything and enjoyed working with his hands. He added many improvements to the home he shared with Cathy for over 40 years, and took pride in taking care of his home. He was who the kids took their toys to when they broke. He spent hours tinkering and creating in his backyard tool shop. It was probably one of his favorite places over the years. His mind could see possibilities and unconventional uses for items. That skill made him a bit of a MacGyver, and until the end, he was talking about projects he could undertake or things he needed to work on.

David was a people person. He had a quirky sense of humor, an incredibly quick wit, and an extensive knowledge of “Dad” jokes. He could make friends with just about anyone and often did. If a neighbor needed help with the yard, David was there. If a kid (his or others) wanted to learn a new skill, he explained, taught, and practiced with them until they had it. He truly cared about people.

He will be greatly missed by his wife of 46 years Cathy; son, Greg (Madison) of Ankeny, Iowa, and their children, Alex, Emmett, and Owen; daughter Emily, Cedar Rapids, Iowa; siblings Douglas (Rose) Ganfield of Dumont, Iowa, Darinda Ganfield of Correctionville, Iowa, Debra (Steven) Schueller of Grafton, North Dakota, Denise (Robert) Knaack of Correctionville, Iowa; as well as extended family and a collection of great friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Elaine, and his parents-in-law, Leroy and Janice Petersen.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Iowa Chapter of the American Parkinson Association or Camp Courageous in Monticello, Iowa.

The family would like to thank everyone that has helped us navigate this disease and who loved and supported David.