Obituary for David Lee VandenBaard

David Lee VandenBaard, 78, of Altoona, IA died on Monday, April 15, 2024, of pancreatic cancer at his home surrounded by his family.

Dave was born on November 7, 1945 in Oskaloosa, IA. Dave spent the first 13 years of his life on the family farm on Sandridge, north of Pella, before moving to Pella. Dave and Eileen (Klein) were united in marriage on November 10, 1962 and three days later he left for basic training in the United States Army at age 17 and served for 21 years. During those 21 years he served overseas in Korea, Viet Nam, Germany and at stateside bases of Ft. Gordan, GA, Ft. Hood, TX, Ft. Sill, OK, Ft. Ritchie, MD, and Tobyhanna Army Depot, PA. He served in White House Communications for 2 1/2 years and did advance communications for White House operations. Dave received the Bronze Star for his service in Viet Nam, 1970-71. During his Army career he had been in 23 foreign countries. In 1983, Dave retired from the Army with the rank of Master Sergeant. He then went to work for the Iowa State Patrol as a Communication Technician and worked there for 22 years. Dave is a Life Member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 738 and the Disabled Veterans Chapter 20.

Dave and Eileen were married 61 years and were blessed with two daughters: Cheri (Oelmann) of Altoona and Cynthia (Ramberg) of Norfolk, NE.

Those left to cherish Dave’s memory are his wife Eileen and their family:

Daughter, Cheri Oelmann of Altoona, IA 

Jason Oelmann (Andrew Greenberg)

Matthew Oelmann

Daughter, Cynthia Ramberg (Dave) of Norfolk, NE

Ashley Broomfield (Cody) of McCook NE and Bowen and 2nd child coming in May         

        Amanda Francois (Eddie) of Pierce, NE and Aspen

Sister, Karen Geetings (Ron) of Pella, and family

Brother-in-law, Jim Venhuizen of Idaho Falls, ID and family

He was preceded in death by his parents Marion (Babe) and Harriet (Uitermarkt) VandenBaard, his parents-in-law Henry and Esther Klein, and son-in-law Doug Oelmann.

Dave and Eileen enjoyed traveling, covering all 50 states and over 30 countries. They enjoyed traveling over 150,000 miles on their Goldwing motorcycle from coast to coast. Dave and Eileen spent countless hours taking photos of National Parks, wildlife, and birds. Dave learned to play the guitar at age 57 and spent hundreds of hours jamming with his guitar buddy, Steve Wheeler.

Visitation will be Tuesday, April 23rd from 10-11:30 a.m. with a celebration service at 11:30 a.m. at Amazing Grace Ministries & Outreach Church, 1903 53rd St, Des Moines, Iowa. Full military honors will be conducted at 2:00 p.m. at the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, 34024 Veterans Memorial Drive, Adel, IA. A light lunch will follow back at the church.

Memorial donations in David’s honor may be directed to Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 738 or the Disabled Veterans Chapter 20.

Condolences may be left directly to the family by visiting www.IowaCreamation.com under Obituaries. The church will be open Monday, April 22 after 9:00 a.m. for receiving tributes.