David S. Koehler

David S. Koehler, 89, of Winterset, Iowa, passed away peacefully at his home on Sunday, April 19, 2026, after a battle with vascular parkinsonism.

David was born on January 14, 1937, in Winterset, Iowa, the son of Francis and Irene (Johnstone) Koehler. He attended school in Winterset, all but one year when he lived in Salem, Oregon, while his father worked as an electrician at a military base during World War II. During high school he was the sports manager for the football, basketball and track teams for three years. He graduated from Winterset High School in 1956 and began working with his father in the heating and electrical business.

Beginning in 1957 he worked for H.M. Cooper Truck Line hauling sand and rock to help build the Interstate 35 highway from Highway 92 to just north of Cumming, Interstate 80 west of Stuart to east of Dexter and from the Des Moines River to Colfax. He later began his career in the auto service business, starting in the service rack, then as a mechanic until he became the service manager. He worked at all the General Motors car dealerships in Winterset during his career, including Morrissey Oldsmoblie and Rambler, Mills Chevrolet and Cadillac, Kirkland Motor Buick and Pontiac and Reeds Oldsmobile. He also drove a truck for Larry Schabel Truck Line for several years. David started his own business in cooling, heating, plumbing and electrical, which continued for over 30 years, until his retirement.

David was active in the community, serving on the Madison County Fair Board and the Madison County Historical Society Board. He was a member of the national International Harvester Association and the Allis Connection. He attended the Gathering of the Orange in the Amana Colonies for 20 years, displaying restored vintage garden tractors and all things Allis-Chalmers.

David had a big heart for animals, especially cats, which seemed to migrate to the Koehler Cat Farm over the years. He enjoyed restoring garden tractors and spending time in his workshop.

David is survived by his wife, of 41 years, Quita (Lininger) Koehler; children Denise (Craig) Franklin, Kelle Blunck and Daniel Koehler. He is also survived by six grandchildren Joseph (Veronica) Franklin, Codie Gliem, Adley Koehler, Mary Lininger, Sadie Hawkinson, and Donovan Koehler; three bonus grandchildren Gabby Harvey, Emma Gallagher, and Mabel Gallagher; five great-grandchildren: Blake, Lily, McKinlee, Aurora, and Theodore. David had a special bond with the children that attended Quita’s in-home daycare. He enjoyed being a part of their lives and considered them honorary grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father-in-law, Keith Lininger; mother-in-law, Twilla Lininger and a child, Colton Kenneth Lininger.

A graveside service will be held at North McDonald Cemetery on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. A gathering for family and friends will be held after in the banquet room at The Sports Page in Winterset.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the family to be directed at a later date.

The family would like to thank the staff with Every Step Hospice for the care and compassion shown to David and the family.