David (Dave) Ernest Bell

David (Dave) Ernest Bell

Iowa City

David (Dave) Ernest Bell, 77, son of Donald E. Bell and Ruth E. Bell, went to be with the Lord on January 29, 2025, while being cared for at Bethany Life, in Story City, IA. Dave courageously dealt with Alzheimer’s for 11+ years.

Dave was born in Washington, IA on July 8, 1947, and grew up in Iowa City, IA where he graduated from City High in 1965. During the Vietnam War Dave served in the US Navy. Returning to Iowa City, he attended the University of Iowa receiving a BA degree in 1974. He later joined the Army Reserves, then the Army National Guard where he served with the 209th Medical Unit out of Washington, IA. He retired from military service in 1997. Dave worked for Oral-B Laboratories in Iowa City for 33 years.

Dave’s family and friends will fondly remember him for his love of the great outdoors and how he loved to share the outdoors with others. He volunteered with the Hawkeye Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America for many years and was honored with the Award of Merit in Dec. of 1991. In Jan. of 1999 he was given the Scouting Silver Beaver Award. Dave loved canoeing and kayaking and often introduced others to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness in northern Minnesota. Dave also enjoyed his Koi Pond and was a member of the Eastern Iowa Koi Society. Another activity that Dave will be remembered for was his love of dancing and the music of the 50s, 60s and 70s. It was a love that he kept through his dementia process and never lost.

Dave was a member of Living Word Christian Fellowship, now High Point Church. He was a faithful follower of Christ and never hesitated to share his faith with others or be actively involved in church work or activities.

David was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Gary Bell of Cedar Rapids and brothers-in-law Mike Arn and Gary Zeman.

He is survived by his sisters Marsha Arn, of Peyton, CO, and Caroline Zeman of West Branch and brother Douglas Bell of Downey, his wife Janice S. Bell, now in Ames, son Erik D. Bell of Burlington, son Daniel P. Bell (Mo) of Oakland, CA, step-daughter Laconia Koerner (Jamie) of Robbinsdale, MN, and step-daughter M. Elizabeth Koerner-Scheidt (Peter) of Ames. David has two granddaughters, Eleanor Bell and Norma Scheidt.

Visitation will be held at Lensing Funeral Home, 605 Kirkwood Ave., Iowa City on Sunday, Feb. 2 from 5 PM to 7 PM. Funeral Service will be held at High Point Church, 4187 Landon Ave., Iowa City on Monday, Feb. 3rd, at 10:30 AM, with burial directly after the service at Memory Gardens with military honors performed by the American Legion.

The family request that any donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the University of Iowa Alzheimer’s Research Program.