David John Sextro

David John Sextro, 84, of Sun City, AZ, passed away on July 1, 2025, at Banner Boswell Hospital in Sun City. Born June 24, 1941, at St. Anthony's Hospital in Carroll, Iowa, to Frank and Lorine (Eischeid) Sextro, Dave lived a life marked by his dedication to service, the education of Iowa’s youth, and his family. Dave graduated from Manning High School in 1960 and joined the US Air Force, serving until he was medically discharged in 1961. On January 20th, 1962, he married his beloved wife, Anne. They shared 63 years together, raising three daughters, Susan, Sheri, and Beth; one son, Ryan; and a foster daughter, Sherry (Johannsen) Porsch.

After their marriage, Dave and Anne moved to the Chicago area, where he continued his studies at Worsham School of Mortuary Sciences, graduating in May of 1963. He worked full time as a funeral director in north Chicago and Denison, Iowa, until 1970. After unsuccessful attempts to purchase a funeral chapel, Dave became a New York Life insurance salesman and continued working part time at Huebner Funeral Home in Denison until 1978. In 1975, Dave re-enlisted into the Nebraska Army National Guard as a team leader in a mechanized infantry (TOW missile) company. Later, he transferred to the US Army Reserves and served as a mortuary affairs NCO, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant before leaving the military in 1982 to focus on the family farm and his career in education.

In 1976, Dave earned his bachelor’s degree from Wayne State College and began his professional passion as an educator in 1977, working with students and creating opportunities for them. He taught industrial arts, math, and speech at the Dow City-Arion School District, and coached girls’ basketball, football, track, and softball. His leadership skills led to an unexpected offer to become high school principal at Dow City-Arion in 1979, launching a distinguished career in school administration. Dave returned to Wayne State College to complete his master’s and specialist’s degrees in education and in 1986, became superintendent of the Irwin Kirkman School District, helping to form the Irwin Kirkman Manilla district, where he continued to serve until 1993. From 1993 to 2004, Dave served as superintendent of the Albia Community School District. After his initial retirement from Albia, in 2005 he returned to serve as an interim superintendent at the Belmond Klemme and Washington Community School Districts. Dave fully retired from education in 2010 after 33 years of advocating for students. During his career, Dave served on numerous boards and committees; three he was particularly passionate about were the Iowa High School Athletic Association Board of Control, Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union Representative Council, and the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Dave was a fierce friend, patriarch, and competitor; he loved sports, hunting and fishing, playing cards, and pulling practical jokes of all sorts. He was an avid fast-pitch softball player into his 50s, and in retirement continued to play slow-pitch into his 70s. He was also a longtime sports official in baseball, softball, boys’ and girls’ basketball, volleyball, and football. Dave and Anne shared the field officiating countless games for nearly 30 years. After moving to Sun City full time, Dave resumed his work as a funeral director at Sunland Memorial Park into his 80s.

Dave’s legacy is carried on by his wife, Anne; children, Sue (Steve) Oberg of Sun City, AZ; Beth (Mike) Namanny of Ankeny, IA; Ryan (Melanie) Sextro of Ankeny, IA, son-in-law Carl Heilman of Lenexa, KS; and Sherry (Joel) Porsch of Kimballton, IA; 13 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; siblings Shirley Roberton, Darlene (Don) Hjuler, Pat (Ron) Larsen, Mary Schneider, Phil (Lois) Sextro, and Becky (Bill) Rasmussen. He was preceded in death by his parents Frank and Lorine; daughter Sheri Heilman; grandson Chris Oberg; and brothers-in-law Larry Robertson and Dick Schneider.

Due to travel, the family requests no flowers. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Dave and Anne Sextro Trust (9734 West Wrangler Drive, Sun City, AZ, 85373) for distribution to various causes identified by Dave that support the educational and medical needs of youth. Funeral services will be held at 10:30am on July 14th, 2025, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 703 Heisler Street, Mapleton, IA, 51034. Anne and her children will receive visitors at 9:30am prior to the church service. Following the service, the family will host a time of fellowship and storytelling where lunch will be served at the Beef N Brew, 420 Main Street, Mapleton. Sunland Memorial Park of Sun City, AZ, was entrusted with cremation and arrangements, special thanks to Goslar Funeral Home, Onawa, IA, and St. Mary’s Catholic Church for assistance with local arrangements. Burial will take place at later date Mount Hope Cemetery, Mapleton, Iowa