David Lee Dachenbach Obituary July 11, 1938-December 3, 2022

 

David Lee Dachenbach, 84, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2022 at his son's home south of Russell. A visitation will be held Thursday, December 8, from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. A graveside service will be held on Friday at 11:00 a.m. at the Chariton Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in care of David's family, and may be sent in c/o Keith Dachenbach, 43184 270th Ave, Russell, IA 50238.

The family would like to thank all of those who provided David with Excellent care in his last days, especially EveryStep Hospice, for their assistance and support.

David was born July 11, 1938 at his parents' home east of Williamson, Iowa. He weighed over 11 pounds at birth and always said he was "born ready to work". He accepted the Lord as his Savior at the age of eight.

David attended country schools until he transferred to Chariton High School. He joined the National Guard when he was still in high school and started driving a semi truck at the age of 17. He started out driving for Breneman Truck Lines and later went to work for Bob Stone Cordage Company as a driver and farmhand. David had many fun stories from his years as a trucker. One trip in particular took him to the East Coast to deliver a horse to Bing Crosby's brother, to New Orleans, and finally to California to deliver another horse to Bing Crosby himself. In that week alone, David saw the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans and the Gulf of Mexico. Over the course of his trucking career, David traveled through all of the lower 48 states, three Canadian Provinces, and parts of Mexico. He once said he'd "hauled everything but nuclear waste", as his truck loads over the years included livestock, grain, equipment parts, produce, and frozen foods. He was extremely proud that, at 80 years old, he was still able to pass his DOT physical and made over a dozen trips to California and back before retiring.

David was involved in agriculture in many ways over his lifetime and was a member of FFA in high school. He particularly enjoyed raising Hereford cattle and harvesting crops. David purchased the first rotary combine in Lucas County and over the course of his life, he harvested tens of thousands of acres in all types of weather for numerous friends and neighbors.

David was preceded in death by his parents: Warren and Maisel (Metz) Dachenbach; wife, Rose Marie (Relph) Dachenbach; sisters: Mildred Rollins and Ruth Ellen Ruddell; and brother-in-law, Bob Wright.

He is survived by his wife of 17 years, Wanda Dachenbach; sister, Marian Wright of Kerrville, Texas, brother-in-law, Ron Ruddell; children: Keith (Angela) Dachenbach of Russell, Suzanne (Gary) Smith of LaGrange, Ohio, and Karen (Bill) Watters of Oskaloosa; grandchildren: Ryan (Kelsey) Dachenbach of Chariton, Rachel (Dachenbach) Cohen of Johnston, Jennifer (Riley Calhoun) Watters of Oskaloosa, Paige (Jacob) Spears of Albia, and Anna Smith of LaGrange; great grandchildren: Hadley and Beckett Dachenbach; several nieces and nephews; and numerous relatives and friends.