"My own opinion is that love is felt most completely in marriage, or some comparable attachment of long duration. Love takes time. What are called "love affairs" may afford a wide, and in retrospect, illuminating variety of emotions. But rarely have the pleasures of love an opportunity to manifest themselves in such riots of passion. Love affairs are for emotional sprinters; the pleasures of love are for the emotional marathoners. ~Robertson Davies This quote reminds me of the brilliant, funny, patient and kind man I married. The man who gave me the gift of knowing what it feels like to be truly in love with someone, and to have someone truly love me back. (Some people never get that in this life). I will always have an empty place in my heart where all of the memories of things we talked about doing together, and didn't get to should be. But I will try to compensate for that with all of the years of good memories we shared together. :-) I know in this life you knew how much I loved you. I hope you now also realize how much I benefited personally from your courage, your hard work, your belief in yourself and your belief in me. I love you Dave, I always will. Deena "
In loving memory of
David C. McNertney
June 28, 1962 - December 5, 2012
David Charles McNertney was born on June 28, 1962, in Estherville, to Charles and Karen (Wilhelmi) McNertney. He grew up on a farm, and attended St. John's Catholic School in Bancroft graduating in 1980. He attended Iowa State University, graduating with both a bachelors and masters degree in Horticulture and Seed Physiology.
He loved natural scenery, looking at the stars, and beautiful green fields. David had a very inventive mind. He applied for, and was granted, a patent for an automated seed germination process.
Dave frequently recounted the happiest days of his life was the day he married Deena Zegers on July 4, 1992. David leaves behind so many family and friends who will always remember his contagious laugh, kind, tender heart, and unique sense of humor.
David is survived by his wife Deena; parents, Charles and Karen McNertney of Bancroft; two brothers, Joe (Sara) McNertney of Latimer, and Tim McNertney of Algona; three sisters; Mary Dunscombe of Humboldt, Geri (Tom) Kohlhaas of Humboldt, and Sherrie (Dana) Reutzel of Belle Plaine, MN; numerous nieces and great nieces, and nephews and a great nephew; and a host of other Aunts, Uncles, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Patrick and Esther McNertney, Harold and Blanche (Lunn) Wilhelmi; sister-in-law Lisa (Ulrich) McNertney; and brother-in-law Robert Dunscombe.
Tributes
"My deepest sympathy to the entire McNertney family. "
"Chuck, Karen & Family, You're in our thoughts and prayers. Ken and Kathy (Hagedorn) Leners"
"My deepest sympathy goes out to your family. May you find peace during this difficult time. Brenda (Kienitz) Hoffman, class of 1980. "
"I am so sorry to hear of David's passing. My prayers go up for him and, all of you who feel this great pain."
"Our deepest sympathy to Dave's family. May he rest in peace. Classmates Jim and Susanne (Kockler) Wesselmann"
"May God be with you all during this difficult time. I have fond memories of all the games we used to play on the farm. We will keep you in our prayers."
"Chuck, Karen & Family, I'm so sorry to hear of David's passing. I have great memories of him helping Mary and I find our way around Iowa State as freshmen. "
"Chuck, Karen & Family, I'm sorry for your loss and will keep you in my prayers during this difficult time. -Patrick Degen-"
"Chuck, Karen and family,
We are so sorry for your loss. We will keep you all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all."
"It's the wee morning hours and I slowly rise from my chair, careful not to make much noise. Then it hits me, once again-you're not here. No one is in the bedroom beneath me and there is no reason for me to be so quiet. It's times like this that I realize how much I'm gonna miss you. You were such a great person and I enjoyed getting to know you. It was a pleasure meeting your sisters, I only wish it could have been under different circumstances. I'm so sorry I didn't realize the pain you must have been enduring. I wish there was something I could have done or said to make things better. You were an awesome person and I will forever be grateful that you respected me enough to make sure I would be as unaffected by your decision as possible. I will forever cherish the little time that we had together. You were the best renter I could have ever asked for. You will be missed My Friend... Robin Ruprecht"
"My deepest sympathy, to the family and Geri, Justin and Julia, I'm thinking of you. May God be with you, Annette Kahler, Courtney and Kendall"
"Karen, I am so sorry to hear of your son's death. He was in our daughter, Carolyn's grade. Will include you in our prayers. Ron and Pat Doerning"
"Karen, Charles and family, I am sorry on your loss."
"our thopughts and prayers go out to the McNertney family on your loss. It is always sad to lose a loved one, but he is now in Gods hands."
"Chuck, Karen and family,
You have our deepest sympathy in the loss of David. Know that we are praying for peace and comfort for you all.
~Don and Melinda Zeimet"
"Our prayers and thoughts go out to you Karen & Chuck and the rest of your family. Am so sorry for your loss. Phil & Margaet Vaske"
"Our heart felt respects and sadness to the McNertney family! Praying for your family and for the love of Family that surrounds you in this time of sadness.
"
"Chuck, Karen and family,
We are so sorry to hear of David's death...our heartfelt sympathy goes out to all of you...keeping you in our thoughts and prayers...so many memories of him and our Jeff playing together when you were our neighbors..."