David Moles

David (Dave) Moles of Waukee, died at home on March 3, 2021, of glioblastoma. Dave was born May 28, 1957, in Des Moines, and was adopted as an infant by Dr. Marvin Moles and Jane Woodburn Moles. He attended schools in Newton, graduated from Newton Senior High School in 1975, and lived and worked in the area for much of his life. He attended Des Moines Area Community College and worked for the Maytag Company for 30 years, finishing as a tool and die maker when he retired in 2008. Dave then worked for the Greater Des Moines YMCA as a maintenance director. He retired from the YMCA in 2019.

Dave married LuAnn Marie Minner, April 13, 1974, at the First Presbyterian Church in Newton. They had three children and divorced in 1987. On June 25, 1988, Dave married the love of his life, Jacqueline Diane Brown, at the First Christian Church in Newton, and they had one son.

He was an active member of First Presbyterian Church in Newton, serving as an Elder, and accompanied teens on many Work Week trips. He participated in swim teams through the YMCA, high school and Iowa Masters winning several medals at the Iowa Games. He was a swimming instructor and swim team coach for the Newton YMCA for several years.

Annual trips to Minnesota and Missouri for fishing, waterskiing and family time were essential to him; he also traveled on cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean several times, Ireland and Atlantic passage and the Danube River. Dave enjoyed restoring classic trucks, most recently rebuilding a 1940 pickup. Dave enjoyed many sports, including Iowa Hawkeyes and Chicago Cubs. He especially enjoyed watching and sometimes coaching his kids and grandkids in their athletic activities.

Dave loved his family, they were the lights of his life. A more optimistic, encouraging, caring man would be difficult to find. We were blessed to be a part of his family and life and he is so missed.

Survivors include his wife, Jackie; children, Tony (Katherine) Moles of Houston, Texas, Nicole (Kelley) Jacob of Cypress, Texas, Joe (Diana) Moles of Houston, Texas and Brad Moles of Austin, Texas; grandchildren, Taylor Moles, Gavin Moles, Daniel Peterson, Ashley Keown, Mason Keown, Eli Moles and Oliver Moles; brother, Don (Dortha) Moles of Fillmore, Ind.; sisters, Diane Moles of Newton and Deb (Doug) Merfeld of Walford; nine nieces and nephews; and a host of other family and friends. Dave was never without a dog or two or three in his life, and Barney and Bucky were with him at the end.

Due to COVID-19 concerns, services will be private and available for viewing via live-stream starting at 1 p.m. Thursday, March 18 or anytime thereafter at facebook.com/ernstfuneralcremation. To leave condolences for the family, please visit ErnstFuneralHome.com.

Memorials may be directed to UnityPoint Hospice, Newton First Presbyterian Church or MayoClinic.org/cure.