David P. Zaabel

David P. Zaabel, 77, of Urbandale, IA passed away Friday, October 14, 2022, at Every Step Kavanagh House in Des Moines. Funeral services will be held on 10:30 AM on Friday, October 21st in the Chapel of the Laufersweiler Funeral Home. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4:00 to 7:00 PM at the funeral home. David Paul Zaabel was born December 8, 1944, in Fort Dodge. He was baptized and confirmed at St. Paul Lutheran Church and attended grade school there as well. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1963 and enlisted in the United States Army in 1966. He served in the 37th Artillery, which was assigned to the 7th Army as part of the US committment to NATO and was stationed in Germany. After an honorable discharge David worked at Kennedy Park in Fort Dodge before moving to Illinois in 1970. He attended and received his BSEE from DeVry Institute in Chicago and his MBA from Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. David resided in the Chicago area for many years and worked as an independent contractor of DuPont. He was a dedicated member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church in West Dundee, IL. He retired in 2007 and moved to Urbandale Iowa to be closer to his family and became a dedicated member of Living Faith Lutheran Church in Clive, IA. David was an avid toy collector of tractors and later military jeeps and various trucks. His collection was vast, in excess of a 1000 toys, and he delighted in the chance to show it off. David was an active member of the Central Iowa Tractor Club, the Urbandale Breakfast Lions Club and volunteered every year at the Iowa State fair as well as served on the military tribute concert at the fair each year. David Zaabel never met a stranger. He loved to visit with anyone he came across, had a zest for life, and always a positive attitude. During the holidays you could often find him dressed up as Santa for various functions. David is survived by his daughter Kelly Benson (Brian) of West Des Moines, grandchildren Jacob Benson of Urbandale and Karli Benson of Iowa City, and sibling Dennis Zaabel (Karen)of West Des Moines. He is preceded in death by his father Paul Zaabel, mother Virginia (Wiles) Zaabel Bothe, step father Harold Bothe, and brother Richard Zaabel Visitation Thu, Oct 20, 2022 at 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501 Funeral Fri, Oct 21, 2022 at 10:30 am Laufersweiler-Sievers Funeral Home 307 South 12th Street Fort Dodge, Iowa 50501