David ‘Dave’ Maury Engelhardt

David ‘Dave’ Maury Engelhardt, 83 of Monona, Iowa, peacefully passed away Monday, November 25, 2024, at the Rehabilitation Center of Lisbon in Lisbon, Iowa. David was born February 2, 1941, to Maury and Frances (Henderson) Engelhardt at the Emma Ziegler Maternity Home in Monona, Iowa.

He was baptized on April 11, 1941, and later confirmed on May 29, 1955, at St. John Lutheran Church in Luana, Iowa. He was the second youngest of six children. Growing up he worked at the local grocery store, the Monona Hatchery and on the farm for his brother-in-law LaVerne. He fondly spoke of his days playing baseball and of his coach and mentor, George ‘Pete’ Pederson. He attended MFL Public Schools, graduating with the Class of 1960. Following high school he enlisted in the United States Navy in 1960, serving with dedication until 1964, at the U.S. Naval Station, Mayport, Florida, and in the Naval Reserves until 1966. Dave received recognition for rescuing another sailor who had fallen into the water from an aircraft carrier and, again, when the harbor tug he served on towed a destroyer out to sea with a malfunctioning ASROC missile burning on its launch pad. He was a local member of The American Legion Post #267 in McGregor and later years, Post #519, in Monona, Iowa.

Dave was an outdoorsman. He was an avid hunter and fisherman, spending time on the Mississippi River, at Yellow River State Forest, at Northern Wisconsin and on trips hunting in Montana, as well as fishing north of the border into Canada when time permitted.

Dave was united in marriage on July 29, 1967, to Marguerite Ellen Hermsen. To this union three children were born: Jonathan, Rita Marie, and Robert. He owned and operated the Scenic Hotel & Cafe and Iowegian Bar in McGregor, Iowa, for many years and later served as a Captain on the Miss Marquette Riverboat & Casino, Marquette, Iowa.

Surviving Dave are his children: Jonathan Engelhardt of Madison, WI, Rita Marie (Eric) Nosek of Cedar Rapids, IA, Robert Engelhardt of Warrens, WI, and their mother Marguerite (Hermsen) Engelhardt Clinton of McGregor, IA; brothers-in-law, Dr. Martin Meadows, Boca Raton, FL, and LaVerne Landt, Luana, IA; sister, Mary (Gary) Chappell of McGregor, IA; grandchildren: Kris David Rickels of Nashville, TN, Devin Rae Engelhardt of Golden, CO, and Meghan Elizabeth Rickels of Walden, CO; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents: Maury and Frances (Henderson) Engelhardt; brother, Daryl Engelhardt and his wife Rita; sisters: Marilyn Meadows, Norma Landt, Shirley Engel and her husband Marvin.

Graveside funeral services with full military honors for Dave will be held Saturday, December 14, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Luana, Iowa with Pastor Jeremy Wolfe officiating. Following services, a luncheon will be served at the St. John Lutheran Church, Luana, Iowa.

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be dedicated in his name to the Friends of Yellow River Forest at PO Box 171, Harpers Ferry, IA 52146, www.friendsofyellowriverstateforest.org/donate or directed to St. John Lutheran Church at 307 Church St. Luana, IA 52156.