David Richard Thoensen

Dave was born January 22, 1929, in Davenport, Iowa to Ernest C and Genevieve (Risley) Thoensen. A graduate of Davenport High School class of 1946, he attended St. Ambrose College and the University of Iowa, where he was a member of Delta Upsilon fraternity. After serving in Korea in the 114th Engineer Combat Battalion, he returned to Davenport and graduated from St. Ambrose, having received a scholarship to play the baritone in the band. During a weekend leave from Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, it was love at first sight when he met his future wife, Jane Milow, on a blind date. They were married in March 1953, and enjoyed almost 40 years together until her death in 1992. A consummate salesman, Dave spent most of his career as a sales manager for Stokely Van Camp before starting his own company, Mid-America Marketing, in 1970. He later joined the sales team at Remco, Inc., before retiring in 1992. After being introduced by a mutual acquaintance, Dave married Marilyn (Ridnour) Booth of Des Moines in 1994. They were married for 20 years until Marilyn's recent death this April. They enjoyed spending winters in the south and the summers at Dave's home at Tait Lake, Minnesota.

Dave had a wide grin, a big personality, and an even bigger heart. A real people-person, he was outgoing and sociable, and loved meeting people. He was generous and giving, always ready to help where needed. He enjoyed activities at The Lodge, playing with the Des Moines Community Band, and was a member of the WDM United Methodist Church, where for over 25 years he portrayed the disciples Peter and Simon in performances of The Last Supper. His lifelong passions were his family and friends, as well as golf, bridge, big band music, and the north woods of Minnesota. He was exceptionally proud of his children, and he often said that he wouldn’t trade any of his kids for anything!

Left to cherish his memory include his children, Christine (Jon) Gilbertson of Clive, Judy (Craig) Schroeder of Springfield, Missouri, and David (Lucia) Thoensen of Lincolnshire, Illinois; grandchildren John, Jason, and Michael Gilbertson, Rebecca Schroeder, and Dianne and David Thoensen; cousins Carol Risley of DeWitt, Iowa, Frank Thoensen of Kerrville, Texas, several cousins on the West Coast, and many friends in Des Moines, Davenport, and Tait Lake, Minnesota.

A memorial service will be held Saturday, August 8th at 2:00 pm at The Lodge of Ashworth, 909 Ashworth Road, West Des Moines, with interment to follow at Resthaven Cemetery.