Obituary for David Warren Halbmaier

David passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family after a lengthy illness on August 19th. David was born to Walter F. and Dorothy (Gindt) Halbmaier in Waterloo, Iowa. He attended OLVA and was in the first graduating class of Columbus High School in 1960.

One of his favorite things was spending days walking in the woods with friends. As a teen he was a member of the Esquire Car Club. After graduation he worked for the sanitation department and then at John Deere as a machinist. He joined the U.S. Air Force and did schooling in electronics and worked on airplanes. On August 25, 1962, he married Judi Garbes and resided in Biloxi, Mississippi until they were transferred to Offutt Air Force Base in Omaha, Nebraska where their first child, Kim, was born. After being honorably discharged, they moved home and bought their forever home in Washburn welcoming sons Gene and Nick. He returned to John Deere retiring after 30 years. Dave was an avid fisherman and enjoyed trips to Canada and out west. He also loved to trap furs and taught himself how to do taxidermy. He bow hunted deer and turkey as well. Much of his time was spent with family and friends and having a beer in the driveway. Dave was a lifetime member of the Black Hawk Archery Club until his health failed. Earlier years you could find him sitting in front of the sewing machine making his own hunting clothing. Many others received some of his work. 

He is proceeded in death by his parents, brother Don, sister Evelyn, daughter Kim Speed and their great granddaughter Jasmine.

David is survived by his wife Judi of 60+ years, son Gene of Waterloo, Nick (Chris) of Cedar Falls, 7 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 3 step great grandchildren. A celebration of life will be held September 16 from 1:00-5:00 (fish fry) at their home in Washburn.