David Gene Best

David Gene Best, the son of Gene Sherman and Naomi Mae (Peterson) Best, was born January 10, 1950, in Atlantic, Iowa and died peacefully February 5, 2022, at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Nebraska, while fighting a major infection following hip surgery, at the age of 72 years and 25 days

Dave was baptized and confirmed at the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic, Iowa. He attended the Elk Horn - Kimballton Community Schools until the family moved west of Exira at the end of his sophomore year. Dave then went to and graduated from the Exira High School with the Class of 1968. Dave studied at Northwest Missouri State University, in Maryville, Missouri graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1972. His first teaching position was in Oxford Junction, Iowa where he taught science in the Junior/Senior High. In 1974 he accepted a teaching position in Exira where he taught in the Junior/Senior High School for many years. During that time Dave and his family lived on a farm outside of Elk Horn from 1974 to 1991 where he operated a small farrow to finish hog operation. In 1991 Dave and his family moved to Elk Horn, Iowa. Following teaching Dave took on the role of a salesman for Moorman feed before he became a Loan Officer at the Exchange State Bank in Exira where he was employed for several years. Dave then became the Financial Aid Director at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa. In October of 2000, Dave suffered from some health issues and moved back to Brayton to live with his parents where he continued to make his home.

Dave was an active member of the First United Presbyterian Church in Atlantic, Iowa. He served as a Deacon, Elder, and was a delegate to the General Assembly in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania one year. Dave was a very active member of the Exodus Chapter 342 A.F&.A.M. Masonic Lodge in Exira. He was a member of the Audubon’s Pheasants Forever and provided food plots on the farm to provide good hunting in the fall. Dave enjoyed bike riding and participated on RAGBRAI with his daughter, Jen, for many years. He loved gardening, making homemade ice-cream for family celebrations, and enjoyed traveling to his favorite place, Egypt. But most of all he enjoyed spending time and playing with his grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Gene and Naomi Best; his sister Cynthia Best-Fisher; and his sister-in-law Linda Best.

Survivors include his son Jeremy Best and wife Chelsea and their children Cindy, Alex, Emma, Landon, Tobias and Thatcher all of Council Bluffs, Iowa; his daughter Jennifer White and husband Craig and their children Sienna and Hudson all of Chicago, Illinois; his brother Steve Best and wife Lynda of Brayton, Iowa; his sister Cheryl Huedepohl and husband Dave of Parnell, Iowa; nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

The family will meet with friends Saturday afternoon February 19, 2022, from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the Kessler Funeral Home in Exira, Iowa with a Masonic Service at 5:30 P.M. Funeral Services will be conducted by Reverend Dr. Rachelle McCalla on Sunday afternoon, February 20, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church, 616 Chestnut Street, in Atlantic, Iowa. Interment will be in the Arlington Heights Cemetery in Audubon. The honorary pallbearers will be Cindy Best, Emma Best, Tobias Best, Thatcher Best, Sienna White and Hudson White. The pallbearers will be Steve Best, Alex Best, Landon Best, Trent Fisher, Tyler Huedepohl, Bruce Hoegh and Chris Herrick.

The family prefers donations in honor of Dave Best to the Brayton Community Club Playground or First United Presbyterian Church. Please send payments to Exira Exchange State Bank (Attn: Brayton Community Club Playground) at P.O. Box 65, Exira, IA 50076 or to First United Presbyterian Church at 616 Chestnut Street, Atlantic, IA 50022.