David Nicholas Brustkern

1943 - 2016

DES MOINES – David Nicholas Brustkern, age 72, went home to be with the Lord on March 9, 2016. He was born June 22, 1943 in Waterloo, Iowa to Alvin and Lois Brustkern.
His childhood years were spent on the family farm near Rowley, Iowa. He and his family converted 110 acres of virgin prairie to grain farmland using a one bottom plow, adding to the original 120 acres. This land continues to be in the Brustkern family today.
He graduated from Rowley High school in 1961. He served in the United States Air Force in Okinawa, Vietnam, Korea, and the Pentagon during the Vietnam era. After his military service David attended the University of Northern Iowa. He spent the majority of his adult life working in service to others through Easter Seals and Very Special Arts.
David loved gardening, photography, traveling, and art collecting. Actually he was a collector of everything. He had many booths at Collectamania in Des Moines and Story City. David's greatest collection was his friends! He had a wide circle of long-time friends from many walks of life. He was a founding member of CAST (Catholic Adult Singles Together) and cherished the relationships he formed through this organization. He was known for having the best parties, especially Halloween parties. David shared his Holidays and special events with those he loved.
He was a lover of animals and had several cats, and throughout the years a multitude of guinea pigs and many aquariums.
David is survived by his brother Alvin Brustkern, his brother Tim (Pam) Brustkern; three nieces Sherry (Gordan Baker) Brustkern, Deann (Robert) McNammer, Laura Brustkern; and his special cousin/lifelong friend Jim Brust. Although David never married and had children of his own, he became a cherished member of many families. He was asked to be a godfather to Dan Brustkern, Sherry Brustkern, David Becker, Mary Bridget Van Liew, and Bryan Danford. David will be missed by so many.
Visitation will be held at Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Road, on Friday evening March 11, 2016 from 5 to 7 p.m. with Military Honors and a prayer service at 7 p.m. There will be a 30 minute viewing preceding a 10:30 mass of Christian burial on Saturday March 12, 2016 at St. Anthony Catholic Church 15 Indianola Ave, Des Moines.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Easter Seals of Iowa or Very Special Arts of Iowa.