David Louis Gebauer

David Louis Gebauer, longtime farmer and builder, passed October 4, 2025, surrounded by his family in Longmont, Colorado. He was born November 3rd, 1934, in the upstairs of his grandmother's home to Louis John Gebauer and Velma Rose (Ireland) Gebauer. He often joked that he heard the dog bark when the doctor left the yard. David attended Colorado State University and loved telling tales of his experiences working for room and board in the fraternity house.

David married Beverly (Daniels) Gebauer on December 17th, 1956, in a simple church ceremony and four children quickly blessed their lives. Some people said that it would never last but at the time of David's passing they had been married 68 years.

David and Beverly moved to Longmont, CO in 1972 to live part of the year and have their children attend school. They began their regional lifestyle and made trips back and forth consistently between their two homes.

David would joke that he had too many kids to only have one job, so he sought out opportunities. He was hardworking, entrepreneurial, and progressive. One of the reasons for the move to the front range was that David was an integral part of his double cousin Joey Gebauer's concrete business L&J Concrete. They were more like brothers, they enjoyed each other's company and had fun living life, raising their kids, and pouring concrete. Sometimes their shenanigans made their wives shake their heads and yell at the top of their lungs. One of their greatest adventures was a trip to Mexico.

David also ran a successful steel building and grain bin business and even had his own construction crews to build the structures. At last count, he had built 50 steel buildings and 100 grain bins. He was a consistent top performer in both companies and won numerous sales awards for achievement. He delighted in taking his family on the prize trips he had won. At the time of his death, he was designing a new building for the farm to make operations more efficient and convenient.

David was a devoted Dad to his son's. He became a small engine plane pilot and purchased a plane so he would not miss a sporting event for his boys. He religiously flew back and forth and never missed a wrestling match. The plane helped make the regional lifestyle more workable.

It was important to David that his children had experiences. Several times per year he would go to the Seattle Fish Market in Denver and purchase an array of fresh seafood for the kids to try. He delighted in their enjoyment of the new food experiences. He would say, "try it, it is expensive." Beverly, of course being a world class cook, prepared it all expertly.

David loved taking his family and travelling with his best friend's families to Lake McConaughy to vacation after harvest. It was the one week of the year the focus was not on work, but fun. Picture this, David did not wear a swimming suit and always wore his cowboy boots. At the lake he could be seen wearing men's pajamas so he would not sunburn and his boots wading in the water. Many happy memories and bonds were forged on those white beaches and maybe a little mayhem.

David's true love was the farm and taught his children to love it too. The children all had a role in the day to day when they were all still at home. It could be as simple as filling water jugs, running parts or cooking for the crews or as complicated as tearing apart a combine to repair. He was most happy when he was with his family, riding a tractor, visiting with friends, or driving his truck. He and his friends and neighbors could solve most all the world's problems draped over the back of a pickup with a cooler full of cold beverages.

One of his greatest joys was harvest time. He liked it so much he even custom cut for a friend in Kansas and they came to Colorado to help cut his wheat. Everyone came home and helped, lovely meals were shared and memories made. He enjoyed the bustle, the comradery and being boss.

One year he and Terry Guy had a great idea, to have a farm party before harvest. The shop was cleaned out, food prepared, beverages iced, and the whole countryside was invited. They even figured out a way to have a full fireworks show. David smiled when he saw 200 vehicles in the yard and his friends and family enjoying the summer evening. They enjoyed it so much that he had to get up out of bed at 3am and shut the party down. He loved to tell people about this amazing party and the people who attended.

David loved having the grandchildren at the farm also. He made sure he had a working golf cart so they could zip around and explore the farm. They were raised like a gaggle of geese. They delighted in the summertime adventures at the farm, playing outside, swimming in the stock tank and getting into trouble. He taught most of the grandkids to drive, as he was unflappable. He would say, "keep it between the ditches."

David and Beverly took their grandchildren on a yearly fishing trip. The destinations varied but they always got to stay in a hotel, eat delicious food and have interesting experiences.

David will be most remembered for being the first to lend a helping hand, his calm demeanor, and his optimism to plant his crops another year after a devastating loss due to hail or drought. David always saw the good in other people and was willing to give them a chance. He mentored many young farmers and became a trusted friend to the sons of his deceased best friends. He was so loved by his wife, children, and grandchildren. His legacy will live on, the experiences he provided and the life he created with Beverly are within the fabric of his family and the soil of the farm. The farm was the center of the wheel by which his life and family revolved and his greatest wish was for the farm to stay together. David is probably really mad he is missing our time together today; he loved a good batch of company. He would say, "heck, stay all night."

David is survived by his wife Beverly, his sons David Anthony Gebauer (Debbie) of Frederick, CO. Daniel Jeffery Gebauer (Samantha) of Akron, CO. and daughter Dianna Renae Gebauer Arrington (Eric) of Johnstown, CO. His son Douglas Kevin Gebauer preceded him in death. His grandchildren, Darrell Allen Gebauer of Longmont, CO., Dillion Hayes Gebauer of Frederick, CO., Kathryn Marie Stencel (Tye) of Orchard, CO, Kimberly Ann Smith (Eric) of Lonestar, CO., Jennifer Bree Byers (Kevin) of Longmont, CO., Christine Lynn Denniston (Mark) of ID., Christopher Louis Gebauer (Tara) of Akron, CO., Kayla Nicole Sharon (Bryce) of Otis CO., Alexandrea Nicole Arrington of Longmont, CO. and Olivia Renae Wilkins (Greg) of Broomfield, CO., Grandchildren include Aiden and Emberlynn Gebauer, Jace and Blake Stencel, Tessa Lingo Smith and Paisley Smith, Lillian Byers, Anders Denniston, Marleigh Gebauer, Baylor, Barrett, Brylee and Bristol Sharon, Jackson Craig, Kennedy and Declan Wilkins. Charlotte Kumor of Grant, NE., David last surviving sibling. David has many nieces and nephews that hold him in high regard.

A Rosary will be held Friday, October 10, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 10:30, also at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to the Akron Elks.