David A. Giese

David A. Giese, 84, of Marshalltown, formerly of Mason City, passed away Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at The Willows of Marshalltown.

A funeral service is scheduled for 10: 30 a.m., Friday, May 8, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 213 N. Pennsylvania Avenue in Mason City, with Rev. Dan Gerrietts officiating. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery in Mason City.

To view his funeral service click the following link:  Watch Livestream

Visitation will be held from 4 to 6 p.m., Thursday, May 7th, at Major Erickson Funeral Home, 111 N. Pennsylvania Ave., Mason City, and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

David Allan Giese, the son of Allan William and Blanche Emily (Morgan) Giese, was born on March 7, 1942, in Boulder, Colorado. He grew up in Boulder and graduated from Boulder High School in 1960. David continued his education at Colorado State College (now the University of Northern Colorado), graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964 with a double major in Theatre and Language Arts. In 1974, he earned an M.A. degree from the University of Colorado.

On June 20, 1970, he married Mary Caroline Boehnke at Trinity Lutheran Church in Mason City. During their marriage they were blessed with two sons: Allan and Michael.

David began his teaching career in Mt. Pleasant, Iowa, and then moved to Mason City in 1968. He taught language arts, served as speech coach, and directed three major plays annually at Mason City High School for over three decades, until his retirement in 2003. During his tenure, he became Department Chair for Language Arts, taught Advanced Placement courses, and was a trainer for the Principals of Effective Teaching with the Area Education Agency. He created and directed the Chamber Players choral reading group, originated the Mohawk Interpretation Festival, and served as an assistant coach for Mock Trial teams. He was an officer in the National Forensic League and the Iowa High School Speech Association. Three of David’s students competed in national speech tournaments, and several became theatre professionals themselves.

A professional highlight for David was his selection to participate in a summer-long course on teaching Shakespeare at the high school level, sponsored by Northwestern University and funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities. The course was taught at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, and participants talked directly with directors and actors in each of the summer’s productions.

David was a founding member of KCMR radio, and served as president and treasurer of the board, as well as hosted the Music for Sunday Morning program for many years. He was active in community theatre as an actor, director and president of the board. He was a member of the boards of Friends of the Library, Ames Town & Gown, Binford House, and of the worship and music at Trinity Lutheran Church.

Upon his retirement, he and Mary moved to Marshalltown where David taught at Marshalltown Community College as an adjunct professor. He was elected to the board of Central Rivers Area Education Agency, and he pursued his interest in photography as a member of the Central Iowa Camera Club. Several of his photos were selected for exhibit at the Iowa State Fair.

The family suggests that memorial gifts be given to the Education Foundation of the Mason City Public Schools (c/o Karla Wymore, MCHS, 1700 4th Street S.E., Mason City, IA 50401) for the establishment of a fund to augment speech and theatre activities at the high school, to KCMR radio, or to a charity of your choice.

David was a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather who found great joy in his family. He is survived by his wife, Mary Giese, of Marshalltown; two sons, Allan (Lori) Giese of Ham Lake, MN and Michael (Amber) Giese of Port Matilda, PA; four grandchildren, Emily and Ethan Giese and Hannah and Blaine Giese; a brother, James (Sue) Giese of Longmont, CO; brothers-in-law, John (Barbara) Boehnke of Roswell, GA and Paul (Julie Elhard) Boehnke of St. Paul, MN; nieces and nephews, Rae Buchanan, Jamie Giese, Eva Shell, Lila Boehnke and Bryan Boehnke; and other family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and his wife’s parents, George and Edna Boehnke.