David D. Etzel
March 13, 1932 — March 11, 2010
Well-known and loved community leader, David Etzel, passed away Thursday evening, March 11, 2010. David was born on March 13, 1932, to Laura Hazel Speake Etzel, and Verle Edgar “Shorty” Etzel in a farm house south of Alburnett, Linn County, Iowa. David joined his sister, Kathleen, in completing the family. His memories of boyhood are many; waving at the passing freight train engineers, attending Lafayette Salem Evangelical Church, and going to country school. Sports became a passion, beginning with basketball and baseball. His radio soon became his constant companion, listening to Iowa football, basketball games, and the Chicago Cubs through constant static. As he listened to the play by plays, he knew that one day he would become a radio broadcaster. He graduated from Alburnett High School in 1949, and enrolled in Coe College. He was drafted in 1953, and was stationed in Korea where he began working as a radio broadcaster for the Gypsy Network. He was known for taking dedications from U.S. soldiers’ families and friends back home and spinning country tunes; his on-air nickname was “Kim Chi Cowboy”. Upon returning from Korea, he completed his college education at the University of Iowa, majoring in radio and television communication. He went on to broadcast at KBIZ-KTVO in Ottumwa, KCRG in Cedar Rapids, KWMT in Fort Dodge, WMT in Cedar Rapids, and Iowa Public Television in Des Moines. He met his bride and love of his life, Marilynn James from Martelle, in 1955, and they were married in 1956. After over 25 years in broadcasting, he began a new venture with Metropolitan School Supply Company that continued for several years. When an opportunity with Farmer’s State Bank became available, he became Senior Vice President of Marketing for 18 years. After retirement, he assisted his wife Marilynn in marketing her original music compositions across the country.
Community involvement was extremely important to David and he took pride in many endeavors. He was the Public Address announcer with Linn Mar Schools for 21 years. He helped develop the Starry Park Diamonds for the Marion Little League, and was instrumental in getting the Marion Times Newspaper started in Marion. Education was a top priority and he was presented with the Linn Mar Education Association “Friend of Education Award” in 1991-1992, and again in 1995-1996. He received awards from East Central UniServ and Cedar Wood UniServ “In Recognition of Long Standing Service and Commitment to Public Education” in 1991, and also the Linn Mar Service Award for outstanding service as a chairman of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Linn Mar Community School District.
He was a member of Marion Christian Church, where he served in many capacities and was involved with Share Iowa, Friends of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and many other charitable organizations. He was also instrumental in furthering the Alburnett Historical Society.
He was a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, the All Iowa Fair Board, the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, the American Legion Post #298, and the Kirkwood New Business Center, Advisory Council. He was also a charter member of the Marion Jaycees, president and board member of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, Swap Fox Festival Chairman, and in 1996 he was named Marion Citizen of the Year. He also took great pride in his campaign work with Iowa State Senator Swati Dandikar.
He loved his work and his community, but his greatest love was his wife, Marilynn, and his family; a never ending source of pride and joy.
We, your family and friends, thank you for believing in the goodness of humanity, for listening to those with much to say but who many shut out; for loving unconditionally your family, your friends, and those who we may find unlovable. Thank you for teaching us that all people deserve love, respect, dignity, and peace. Loving you and being loved by you, may we carry on your life’s legacy and make you proud.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marilynn James Etzel; children, Lisa Lacher (Rev. Dr. Lawrence Lacher), Dana Etzel (David Wharff), and Dr. Eric Etzel (Dr. Michelle Facer); and grandchildren, Casandra Lacher, Nathan Lacher (fiancé, Amber Maddack), Christian Lacher, Megan Wharff, Conner Wharff, Madison Etzel, and Parker Etzel.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Kathleen Etzel.
Funeral Service: 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Marion Christian Church, Marion, by Rev. Brice Hughes and Rev. Robert Kunz. The family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Graveside Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, military honors provided by Marion American Legion Post # 298. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion.
A memorial fund has been established in David’s name.
Community involvement was extremely important to David and he took pride in many endeavors. He was the Public Address announcer with Linn Mar Schools for 21 years. He helped develop the Starry Park Diamonds for the Marion Little League, and was instrumental in getting the Marion Times Newspaper started in Marion. Education was a top priority and he was presented with the Linn Mar Education Association “Friend of Education Award” in 1991-1992, and again in 1995-1996. He received awards from East Central UniServ and Cedar Wood UniServ “In Recognition of Long Standing Service and Commitment to Public Education” in 1991, and also the Linn Mar Service Award for outstanding service as a chairman of the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Linn Mar Community School District.
He was a member of Marion Christian Church, where he served in many capacities and was involved with Share Iowa, Friends of the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics and many other charitable organizations. He was also instrumental in furthering the Alburnett Historical Society.
He was a member of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, the All Iowa Fair Board, the National Association of Farm Broadcasters, the American Legion Post #298, and the Kirkwood New Business Center, Advisory Council. He was also a charter member of the Marion Jaycees, president and board member of the Marion Chamber of Commerce, Swap Fox Festival Chairman, and in 1996 he was named Marion Citizen of the Year. He also took great pride in his campaign work with Iowa State Senator Swati Dandikar.
He loved his work and his community, but his greatest love was his wife, Marilynn, and his family; a never ending source of pride and joy.
We, your family and friends, thank you for believing in the goodness of humanity, for listening to those with much to say but who many shut out; for loving unconditionally your family, your friends, and those who we may find unlovable. Thank you for teaching us that all people deserve love, respect, dignity, and peace. Loving you and being loved by you, may we carry on your life’s legacy and make you proud.
David is survived by his wife of 53 years, Marilynn James Etzel; children, Lisa Lacher (Rev. Dr. Lawrence Lacher), Dana Etzel (David Wharff), and Dr. Eric Etzel (Dr. Michelle Facer); and grandchildren, Casandra Lacher, Nathan Lacher (fiancé, Amber Maddack), Christian Lacher, Megan Wharff, Conner Wharff, Madison Etzel, and Parker Etzel.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his sister, Kathleen Etzel.
Funeral Service: 7:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at Marion Christian Church, Marion, by Rev. Brice Hughes and Rev. Robert Kunz. The family will greet friends from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday at the church. Graveside Service: 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 17, 2010, at Cedar Memorial Park Cemetery, Cedar Rapids, military honors provided by Marion American Legion Post # 298. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Marion.
A memorial fund has been established in David’s name.
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