Obituary of David R. Wilson

David Ralph Wilson, 77, of Iowa City, died Thursday, August 17, 2023 at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics.  The family will greet visitors from 2 to 4pm on Sunday, September 10, 2023, at Gay & Ciha Funeral Home, 2720 Muscatine Avenue, Iowa City.  Funeral services will be held there on Monday, September 11, 2023, at 1:00 PM, with the Reverend Nora Boerner officiating, followed by a time of fellowship with light refreshments.  The family will hold a private burial at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be directed to Trinity Episcopal Church or a charity of the donor’s choice.  

Dave was born on October 26, 1945 in Muscatine, Iowa to Ralph and Lelia (Hanft) Wilson.  He was raised on his parents’ farm in Columbus Junction, Iowa, and graduated from Columbus High School in 1964.  His childhood was filled with all the adventures that come with growing up on a farm, and he was fond of telling stories about that time of his life.

Dave married his childhood sweetheart, Ruth Hanson, on August 20, 1966 in Columbus Junction.  Dave and Ruth attended the University of Iowa together and established their home in Iowa City.  When Dave’s health declined in recent years, he was blessed to be cared for at home by his devoted wife.  Dave was a man of deep faith, which was a source of strength and comfort throughout his health challenges.

Dave held various jobs in his career, most notably positions as general manager of local Fleetway stores, purchasing agent for Fruin-Colnon Construction at Proctor and Gamble, and health and welfare administrator for Local 125 Plumbers and Pipefitters.  Dave was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Iowa City, where he served on the vestry and various committees.

When his children were young, Dave enjoyed coaching youth baseball while Ruth kept the official scorebooks.  He had a number of favorite pastimes, including rooting for the Iowa Hawkeyes and St. Louis Cardinals, playing cards, helping his son and daughter-in-law on their hobby farm, and fishing at the family’s cabin on the Cedar River.  In his later years, Dave spent many summer vacations with family at Lake Vermilion in Minnesota.  Dave loved dogs, was an enthusiastic and curious reader, and always had a joke to share with friends. 

Survivors include his wife, Ruth, of Iowa City; son and daughter-in-law Stephen and Stephanie Wilson of Iowa City; daughter and son-in-law Rebecca and Michael Bearbower of Waterloo; brother and sister-in-law Daniel and Mary Wilson of Columbus Junction; brother- and sister-in-law David and Claire Hanson of Iowa City; sister-in-law Charlotte Warren of Iowa City; nieces and nephew Cindy Kolb, Jeff Hanson, Andrea Wilson, Emily Settles, Amanda Payne, Hannah Watson, and Emma Schroder, and their families; and many cousins.  He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved aunt Corriene Hanft.