David LeRoy Bangs, 83, passed away on Monday, October 14, 2024 at the Israel Family Hospice House in Ames, Iowa. Bangs was born 8-15-1941 on a dairy farm in Allamakee County, Iowa, to parents Irvin Cavers and Arkley Karina (Blilie) Bangs. Dave was raised on the dairy farm in rural Lansing, Iowa. Located about 10 miles from the Mississippi River in northeast Iowa. He had two older sisters; Shirley and Bette. Life on a daily farm was hard work from dawn to dusk and from the age of eight Dave, the only son, was expected to participate in the daily duties.
Dave attended the Lycurgus country school a couple miles from his home from K-8. He attended high school in Waukon, Iowa and graduated from Waukon High School in 1959. Following graduation “Bangs” left the farm and worked for Wright Tree Service traveling around the state. “Bangs” married Lorraine Mathis and they settled in Charles City. Four children were born to the couple; a daughter, Vicki; and three sons, Steve, Cori, and T.J.
Following a car accident in 1969 that resulted in two back surgeries, “Bangs” made a career change and enrolled in Iowa State University and graduated in August of 1972 with a degree in Mechanical Technology. He accepted a job with Sundstrand in Ames in the fall of 1972 as a design checker and worked there until the fall of 1991 when he retired. To keep active after his retirement, he first took a job with the City of Gilbert, The Brick Street Bistro, and then he took a job managing an armored car route in Ames for some ten years.
In 1972 the Bangs’ family settled in Gilbert, Iowa and all four of the Bangs children graduated from Gilbert High School. “Bangs” was a very proud father and became very involved in his children’s activities. He loved wrestling and not only coached his own sons in the skill of wrestling, but also became active in the Ames Boy’s Club and coached wrestling there. May of 1980, he was recognized by the organization for his outstanding public service in support of the Boy’s Club movement. “Bangs” was also active in the Gilbert Athletic Booster Club and would take on anything asked of him by the group, even if it meant climbing the light poles around the football field and changing bulbs. He helped coach Little League and City League baseball for the youth of the community and could always be counted on to be in the stands when any sporting event of Gilbert’s was being held. “Bangs” was awarded the “Friends of Athletics” award twice and was recognized for his support of Gilbert wresting with the “#1 Fan” award by the coaches in 1989.
In 1988, “Bangs” and Lorraine were divorced. He continued to live in Gilbert and continued supporting the Gilbert school system and its activities. On 8/28/1991, “Bangs” married Dianna Brause, also of Gilbert, and with that union he welcomed Dianna’s four children; Paul James, Scott, Joe, and Rod into his family. Dianna’s children also grew up and graduated from Gilbert High School and were all about the same age as the Bangs children, thus they were already part of the family. Both he and Di were always very proud of their eight children. They both continued to follow the Gilbert basketball, baseball, and wrestling teams after their children had all graduated until about 1998.
The couple moved back to Ankeny in 1998, when Diana took the position at the Sears Merle Hay Mall store in Des Moines, and remained in Ankeny until 2013 when they moved to Ames to be in a more central location to their grandchildren in Iowa.
“Bangs” was a big wrestling fan and followed ISU to the National Championships for many years, however what he enjoyed most, was attending his kids and grandkids sporting and music events. He always felt they were the best! His greatest joy and pride was always his family, he was devoted to his wife, children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
In fall of 2013, “Bangs” took a part-time position as a funeral assistant with Stevens Memorial Chapel in Ames, and about a year later Dianna followed suit as a funeral assistant, and then moved to the office manager position as they worked together. He loved working with the families, and he loved the caring and professional management and staff that he worked with. It was a very rewarding experience for him.
“Bangs” was a man’s man, a one of a kind tough guy with a big heart. He loved his wife and family, and would always be there for them.
Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 610 15th Street, Ames, Iowa 50010. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 19, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ames. There will be a luncheon immediately following the service at the church. Burial of ashes will be held at a later date in Gilbert Cemetery in Gilbert, Iowa.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the family and will be given to the Gilbert Athletic Department in loving memory of Bangs.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be left at www.stevensmemorialchapel.com for the Bangs family.
