David Lee Shelquist passed away on December 30, 2025, at Accura Health Care in Knoxville, Iowa, under the care of Suncrest Hospice.
David was born on February 13, 1947, to Ivan and Barbara (Gray) Shelquist. The family lived on a farm northeast of Albia at the time but later purchased a farm west of Moravia. David attended school in Albia and then Moravia, graduating from Moravia High School in 1965. He often attended both Albia and Moravia class reunions. David also served his country in the Iowa National Guard.
David was active in both 4-H and FFA, participating in local, county, and state events. David received the FFA Iowa Farmer degree in 1965 and enjoyed being a grandstand usher at the Iowa State Fair. David graduated from Indian Hills Community College and Iowa State University.
Most of his career was spent in agri-business and finance. David worked for Farmers Home Administration in both Waverly and Corning and then for Mahaska State Bank in Oskaloosa. In his later years, David worked for Henderson Implement and then as a driver for the Amish.
He married Mary Elswick Jamieson in 1976. The couple later divorced.
David enjoyed the cattle business, attending auctions, driving around the countryside, and watching old Western series and movies and anything on RFD-TV. A Saturday ritual in later years was watching the Mollie B Polka Party. He enjoyed collecting Heston belt buckles and John Deere memorabilia.
David is survived by a brother, Galin Shelquist of Albia; a sister, Marilyn Rowley of Albia; nephews, Tyler (Kourtni) Shelquist of Oskaloosa and Bobby Shelquist of Albia; a niece, Molly (Andy) Mullen of Albia and their children: Jace, Grady, and Hattie Shelquist, Gracie Shelquist, and Callen, Freya, and Makenzie Mullen. He is also survived by several cousins and many life-long friends and neighbors.
David is preceded in death by his parents, Ivan and Barbara Shelquist; his grandparents; his brother-in-law, Jimmie Rowley; and other family members and close friends.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with David’s family present from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. to greet family and friends.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 9, 2026, at the Tharp Funeral Home in Albia, with Pastor Mark Wagner officiating. Burial will follow services at Service Chapel Cemetery in Monroe County.
A memorial has been established to Service Chapel Cemetery.
