David A. Heitritter, 61, Melvin

A memorial service for David A. Heitritter was held Monday, Aug. 14, 2023, at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin, with Rev. Judith Johnson and Rev. Tim Nappe officiating. Burial was in the Baker Township Cemetery near Melvin. Jurrens Funeral Home in Sibley assisted with the arrangements.

David Alan Heitritter was born May 16, 1962 in Sheldon, the son of Dale and Marlene (Bieser) Heitritter. He was raised on the family farm outside of Melvin and grew up helping his dad around the farm. David graduated from Hartley-Melvin High School in 1981. He was in the first Melvin class to graduate from Hartley-Melvin. Following high school Dave continued his education attending Northwest Iowa Community College, obtaining an automotive mechanics degree. After college Dave worked at Andy Granatelli's Tune-Up Masters in California.

David was united in marriage to Becky Ackerman on May 26, 1984, at the American Lutheran Church in Melvin. They lived in Sheldon and Sanborn before making their home in Melvin for the past 35 years. Dave worked as a mechanic for Ken Karr in Sheldon, Don's Repair in Sanborn, and lastly for the Osceola County Road Department for 24 years.

He was a lifelong member of the American Lutheran Church in Melvin where he served several terms on the church council and was a youth group sponsor with Melvin Luther League. In Dave's free time you would always find him working on something, whether it was remodeling the house, working on his grain bin, which was his prized possession, or working on a vehicle. Everything he put his hands to, he changed for the better (except for cutting down trees). He loved spending time with his family and loved his kids, of whom he was very proud. He will be remembered for his great sense of humor, his strength and his hard work. Dave's motto was "Good Enough, Never Was."

David passed away at his home on Wednesday, Aug. 9, 2023, at age 61, surrounded by his family.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 39 years, Becky; children: Mike (Amy) Baker, of Melvin; Jodi (Johan) Fourie, of Hartley; and Daniel (Makenzie) Heitritter, of Spencer; six grandchildren: Bryce, Ethan and Reed Baker, and Lukas, Kolten and Colin Fourie; mother, Marlene Heitritter; siblings: Steve (Sandra) Heitritter, Deb (Cory) Van Driel and Sheri (Rick) Blevins; siblings-in-law: Todd Ackerman, Brenda Ackerman and Stan Ackerman; along with many nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Dale Heitritter, parents-in-law, Stan and Karen Ackerman; brothers-in-law, Barry Cammann and Troy Ackerman; and sister-in-law, Sue Ackerman.