David John Janssen

David Janssen, 73, of Gilmore City, passed away at his home on Thursday, August 3, 2023. Visitation will be held from 3:00-6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 6, 2023, at Faith Community Church, Palmer, IA. The funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday at Faith Community Church with Pastor Russ Weller officiating. Burial will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery in Lizard Township. 

David was born in Fort Dodge on November 10, 1949, to Harold and Mardella (Claussen) Janssen. He grew up on a farm near Palmer and graduated from Palmer High School in 1967. He went on to attend Iowa Central Community College and then joined the U.S. Army Reserves in 1968. He was united in marriage to Kathryn Vetter on October 4, 1969, and the couple made their home on a farm in the Palmer area. On July 5, 2013, David was united in marriage to Anita Vetter at Faith Community Church.

David row crop farmed and raised cattle for his entire life. He was a registered Seed Stock Producer and raised Hereford and Simmental cattle from the early 1960’s until his death. He hosted 25 plus bull and female production sales and was well known in the cattle industry as a pioneer livestock breeder. He was a charter member of Faith Community Church and served as a trustee for Lizard Township. He was a lifetime member of the American Hereford Association and American Simmental Association. He served on the Pocahontas County Fair Board for 20 plus years and was a member of the Pocahontas Cattleman’s Association and the Iowa Cattleman’s Association. David loved spending time with his grandchildren and going to their sporting events. He always enjoyed going to livestock events especially if his grandkids were showing cattle, and in his younger years, he built and raced hot rod cars. He was best known as the Dad, Brother, Grandfather, and Son that put loved ones needs and wants ahead of his own.

David is survived by his wife Anita; his father Harold; his sons Jonathan (Maradith) Janssen of Earlham, IA and Chris (Dawn) Janssen of Gilmore City, IA; step-daughters Debra (Edward) Forst and Dawn (Andy) Hock; grandchildren Brady, Carly, Delaney, Madeline, Kathryn and Jonathan David Harold (JD) Janssen, Jacob and Nicholas Forst and Drew Elaine and William Hock; his brother Dallas (Tammy) Janssen of Gilmore City, along with numerous nieces, nephews and extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife Kathryn; his mother Mardella; brother Daniel and Grandparents John Janssen (Opa) and Elsie (Oma).

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