David Campbell
February 23, 2021
David (Dave) Leroy Campbell, 71, Saylor Township, died Feb. 23, 2021, at MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center.
Dave was born Nov. 14, 1949, in Boone, Iowa, to Earl and Ramona (Westrum) Campbell. He grew up in Stratford, Stanhope and Eldora, Iowa. He moved to Des Moines at age 15, graduated from Saydel High School in 1968 and began working at John Deere Des Moines Works in Ankeny. He retired after 30 years. He and his first wife Marcia were parents to three children.
He married Anita (Gunnerson) Campbell on Oct, 31, 1999, and they lived in Saylor Township until his death. Family was Dave’s top priority. He was a devoted husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa. He was a kind, generous man, and one of the joys of his life was being a Santa “stand-in.” He even grew a beard to fit the role and had a twinkle in his eyes.
Dave served in the U.S. Army for three years, after which he joined the Iowa National Guard. He retired in 1994 after 26 years of military service with the rank of Lt. Colonel. He served as the elected Clerk of Saylor Township for two terms and as a District Rep. for U.S. Congressman Leonard Boswell for seven years. He was an active veteran and retired as the clubroom manager of V.F.W. Post 9662 in Sept. 2017.
He was very active in Alcoholics Anonymous, sober since Sept. 5, 1988. He made many lifelong friends through AA, and helped several embrace sobriety as he did. His Catholic faith was very important to him, and he belonged to the 4th degree of the Knights of Columbus Council 5038. He was a member of Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church in Ankeny.
Survivors include his loving wife Anita; his three children, Julia McGuire, Mark and Maria Campbell, Sara and Will Figgins; his stepchildren, Sara and Rob Prehm, Jeff Gunnerson, Scott Gunnerson and Alissa; 13 grandchildren; 5 great-grandchildren (with one on the way); father, Earl Campbell; and brothers, Richard Campbell and Jim (Cheri) Campbell.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ramona Campbell.
Visitation will be Sun., Feb. 28, from 3:00-5:00 p.m., with a prayer service held at 5:00 p.m., at Our Lady’s Immaculate Heart Catholic Church, 510 E. 1st St, Ankeny, IA 50021. Masks and social distancing will be expected.
A private family funeral will be livestreamed at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, March 1. The live stream link for both the prayer service and funeral service can be found at www.olih.org. Burial of the cremains at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to V.F.W. Post 9662, OLIH Knights of Columbus Council 5038 Community Development, or Iowa Catholic Radio.
Richard Vander Hart
03/01/2021
My deepest sympathy to the family and prayers to you all to survive this time of sorrow.
Laura May (Carlson) DuBois
02/27/2021
So sorry for your loss - Dave was a great guy, I worked with Dave in the National Guard
Earl Campbell
02/27/2021
Dave My Youngest Son has left a void in My heart that will never be filled again. Our First born Son. RIP My Son and I know that Mom was there to greet You in Your New Heavenly Home. I will see You and Mom again! <3 <3
Carolyn Sears
02/27/2021
Dave had a great smile and a twinkle in eyes. It was obvious how much he loved Anita and his family.
So sorry for your loss.
McNeal/Shepherd
02/26/2021
Dave was a wonderful and caring man. He brought so much joy as santa and had a huge heart and inviting personality. You all are in our thoughts and prayers. We are thinking of you all in this time of sorrow.
Beth and Will Walling
02/26/2021
So many thoughts and memories...We are grateful to have known him.
Cathy Lewis
02/26/2021
I worked with Dave and Anita for Congressman Boswell. We shared many great memories together. Sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all.
Diana & Roger Nagel
02/26/2021
A GREAT man gone too soon! Our sincere condolences & prayers to Anita & family. Lots of fond memories of the days at the Union Hall.
Richard Vanderhart
02/26/2021
My deepest sympathy to the family of the loss of your loved one.
Dennis Schmidt
02/26/2021
You will be deeply missed my friend. God bless the Mark and all your loved ones.
Kathy & Ken Gawtry
02/26/2021
To the Family of Dave, I want to say that we are praying for your hearts heal! But Ken & I know that Dave is up there already spreading joy and smiling at everybody
Just like he did here!
Bless you Dave, we will see you again soon!
Gary Heuertz& Collette Heuertz
02/25/2021
Anita and family, you have our deepest sympathy. We will miss him, especially at the VFW and as Santa. Both of us served with Dave in the Iowa National Guard and have fond memories from those days.
Steven Syverson
02/25/2021
Our sincere condolences to Anita and the Campbell family. Dave was a wonderful man and a good friend. He was always so happy, upbeat and just full of life! Well miss his laughter and contagious smile! RIP dear friend!