David Grethen, age 74 of Mallard, passed away on Tuesday, December 31, 2024 at Accura Health Care of Pomeroy. Funeral Services will be 11 AM on Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at Lentz Funeral Home in Mallard. Visitation will be from 9:30 AM until the time of service at Lentz Funeral Home in Mallard. Lentz Funeral Home of Mallard is assisting the family.
David Joseph Grethen, son of Harley and Charlotte (Perrigo) Grethen, was born September 15, 1950 in Emmetsburg, Iowa. He was baptized at the St. Mary’s Catholic Church, and his godparents were Ralph Grethen and Eva Grethen Weishaar. He received his education in Mallard at St. Mary’s Catholic School up to eighth grade and then finished high school at Mallard High School, graduating in 1968. Following high school, David farmed with his Dad near Mallard where they raised livestock and did grain farming.
On September 2, 1972, David was united in marriage to Cheryl Clark in Mallard, Iowa. They were blessed with one child, Christopher. David continued farming with Paul Crotty of Havelock and then went farming on his own. In 1979, David became a long-distance truck driver. He drove to the west coast and back to the Midwest. David decided to help his son start a hog confinement as David drove truck and delivered feed for the hog companies around the area. He continued driving until he was forced to retire due to health issues.
David was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Mallard and the Knights of Columbus. He enjoyed farming, raising livestock, hunting, fishing, woodworking and crafting with his wife, visiting people, driving the big trucks, and going to the big truck shows.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl of Mallard, IA; son, Chris and wife Lakeisha and daughters Amelia, Ella, Iris and Oakley of Emmetsburg; special friends, Brian (Amanda) Ruppert of Curlew; Kent (Kelli) Bachman of Ames; sisters, Diana (Richard) Stafford of Mallard, Carol Grethen of Des Moines, and Nancy (Jay) Frerk of Mallard; sister-in-law, Kelly Grethen of Ashland, MO; and nephews and nieces.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harley and Charlotte Grethen; one brother, Jerome; one sister, Anita, and parents-in-law, Norman and Emilie Clark.
