Dr. David Twedt

David C. Twedt was born on June 12, 1920, the beautiful wavey haired son of Leola Jane Ferguson Twedt and Casper I.Twedt and the little brother of Mariel (Mrs. Nile Oldham) and the future big brother to Roger. They lived next door to his Aunt Reba Ferguson Mills and his Uncle Max (Doc) Mills and his cousins Mike and Larry. They along with his cousin Merijane Ferguson (now Mrs. Vahl Vladyka from Austin) shared fun times until tragedy struck and took the life of Davids father, leaving David, at the age of 10, the male head of the household. A lost childhood would later be recaptured for David through his creation of his playground which continues to delight both young and old as they ride the train, the ferris wheel, the carousel and the bat ride or slide down the dragon slide.David attended college at Cornell and graduated from dental school at the University of Illinois. After serving in the navy (Cherry Point, North Carolina and Scott Air Force Base in Bellvue, Illinois) he and his wife Betty Jane Ames (who he married June 15, 1944) settled in Marshalltown, established his dental practice and raised four children, David (Cam), Janey Lynn, Greg, and Vida. Due to the familys interest in horses and nature, they built a summer house in the timber where they shared countless happy times with their pets, friends and family.David is well known as the dentist who left his patients smiling. He was the master of tricks and jokes... there isnt a soul who knew him who didnt get to hear a story or two or get regaled in some way with Davids sense of humor whenever they were with him. His humor even reached beyond to complete strangers who would see or even pose for a picture next to the fake arm or foot hanging out of Davids car trunk. David liked to position himself nearby so he could watch the people pointing and laughing at it. He was awarded the Academy Award for Best Comedian at the Embers, where he lived after Betty, his wife of 65 years, died in 2009. Until his final breath on October 24, 2011, in the home of his son Greg, surrounded by his family, David continued to create laughter and deliver good cheer to everyone. Davids accomplishments include being, along with his cousin, Mike, the first Eagle Scout in Marshall County, being tail twister of Noon Lions Club, campaigning to save the Marshall County Courthouse, spearheading the building of the LeGrand Community Center and Library, serving on the LeGrand Park Board and the Marshall County Historical Society and helping to place Ferguson Timber under a conservation easement. He pushed for the lighting of the entire courthouse dome above the clock faces. His love of music (he played the coronet, the bagpipes, and the French horn) inspired many family members to follow in his footsteps. Whether he was digging a swimming pool, building some kind of whimsical contraption or working on his antique cars, he always had a project. To many friends and family members, he will most be remembered for his devotion to and loving care of his beloved wife, Betty, during her failing health.Davids children, David Cameron (Liz) of Fort Collins, Colo., Janey Lynn (Tom Swartz) of Marshalltown, Greg (Zoraida) of Marshalltown and Vida (Doug Trowbridge) of Marshalltown and his grandchildren Brandon Swartz (Sharon) and Brian Swartz, Alicia and Krystal Harrison, Ryan Twedt, Dorian Twedt and and his great grandchildren Andy, Preston, and Malia all know how much he loved them. David greatly appreciated Isabelle and Janet who helped him care for Betty. The family is grateful to everyone at Iowa River Hospice where memorials may be sent. A visitation will be held Tuesday, Nov. 1, from 7:00 to 8:00 pm at the Stavanger Church 3 miles south of LeGrand on State Highway 146. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 2, at 10:00, at Mitchell Funeral Home.