David Merrill Stolp

David Merrill Stolp

David Merrill Stolp, 86, passed away on June 4, 2026, at The Bridges in Ankeny, Iowa. He was born on May 9, 1940, the son of Merrill and Geraldine (Richman) Stolp in Rochester, Minnesota.

When he was 5, David’s family moved to Jackson, Minnesota, after his father returned from World War II. As a young man, David (Dave) was active in Boy Scouts where he earned the Eagle Scout award. He enjoyed playing football and basketball in high school and was a member of DeMolay. He graduated from Jackson High School in 1958. After completing his freshman year at Iowa State University, Dave enrolled at the University of Minnesota.

In 1960, Dave married Janet Nielsen, also from Jackson. After Dave graduated in 1961 with a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Minnesota, he and Jan moved to Jackson where he worked for his father at the Jackson Millwork Company. They raised their four sons in Jackson.

Dave’s professional career was in the millwork and building materials industry in Minnesota, Iowa, and Nebraska. In addition to Jackson Millwork, he worked for Rodman Industries, Moehl Millwork, and Millard Lumber. Dave was President of Moehl Millwork and President of the Millwork Division of Millard Lumber. He was a member of Hoo-Hoo, an international fraternal order of lumbermen.

In 1976, Dave and his family left their hometown of Jackon and moved to West Des Moines, Iowa, where he worked at Moehl Millwork. Dave was an active committee member in the Boy Scout troop that his sons attended and enjoyed watching his sons compete in sporting events.

When Dave accepted the position at Millard Lumber, he and Jan moved to Omaha, Nebraska. While living there, they converted their one-story ranch home into a stately two-story home. The Omaha World Herald published a feature article on their renovation.

In 2002, Dave and Jan retired and moved into their custom-built lake-front home on Lake Panorama in Panora, Iowa. As with all of the places they lived, Dave and Jan enjoyed entertaining family, friends, and neighbors, creating many happy memories.

After Jan’s death in 2016 as a result of Alzheimer’s, Dave moved to Guthrie Center, Iowa. In 2023 he moved to the Mill Pond retirement community in Ankeny, Iowa.

For leisure activities throughout his life, Dave enjoyed doing home improvement projects, reading (Westerns and history were favorite subjects), and playing golf. He served as President of the Jackson Golf Club. He was also active in the Republican party where he served in various volunteer positions in Minnesota, Nebraska, and Iowa at the county, congressional district, and state levels.

Dave became a Mason in 1964 and was a member of the Masonic Lodge 121 in Panora, Iowa.

Raised as a Presbyterian in Jackson, Dave was a practicing Christian throughout his life. He was a member of Our Saviors Lutheran Church in Jackson where he was married. He attended worship services at Lutheran or Methodist churches in West Des Moines, Omaha, Panora, Guthrie Center, and Ankeny.

Those left to cherish David’s memory include his sons, Greg (Laurie Kusek) Stolp, Tim (Heidi) Stolp, Jon Stolp, and Steve (Maura Theisen-Stolp) Stolp; grandchildren, Kathryn (David Hayman) Stolp, Megan (Ben) Steinheimer, Dylan (Sydney Mock) Stolp, Hannah (Theo) Harris, Samantha Stolp, and Jack Stolp; great-grandchildren, Noah Steinheimer, Hayes Harris, and Jude Hayman; brother Rich (Holly) Stolp; and many other loving relatives and special friends.

David was preceded in death by his wife Janet (Nielsen) Stolp, parents Merrill and Geraldine (Richman) Stolp, brother Gary and sister-in-law Phyllis (Maguire) Stolp, and daughter-in-law Lori (Mortenson) Stolp.

No services are planned at this time. Interment will be at the Sunset Memorial Cemetery in Jackson, Minnesota, at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) in memory of Dave and Jan.

Condolences may be expressed at: www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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