Blue District - KSDA

David Wickersheim - September 21, 2018

On the morning of September 21, David Allison Wickersheim made cancer release its grip on him as he peacefully left his earthly body while surrounded by family.

Dave was a devoted husband, wonderful father of four, world's greatest grandpa, heroic firefighter, lifelong educator, gentleman dancer, donut lover, and cat whisperer.

Born at Ft. Dodge, Iowa, Dave met Nancy Lorraine Mohorc while in the Air Force. They married in 1970. After the Air Force, Dave decided to dedicate his life to serving by battling fires through both education and action. Dave put his boots on the ground for the Waterloo Fire Department by fighting fires while also receiving his bachelor's degree from a local college.

Later, he moved to Lawrence, Kansas where he received his master's degree from Baker University. There he continued to educate through the Kansas Fire & Rescue Training Institute at the University of Kansas, teaching future generations how to be safe while effectively fighting fires.

During all this time, Dave had a love for trains and railways - he studied everything from their engineering to their history. Dave had an impressive model train collection that continued to technologically advance over the years.

Upon retirement he and Nancy moved to Eudora, Kansas, where Dave became involved with teaching at the Eudora Fire Department. In their spare time together, you could often find him and Nancy at a square dance somewhere in Kansas and even in other states. They made countless friends from all over the nation along the way. When not dancing, they were spending time with their seven grandchildren every chance they got.

Dave is survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Nancy. They had four handsome sons: David (Jan) of Florissant, Missouri; Matthew (Jen) of Independence, Missouri; Jason (Colleen) of Overland Park, Kansas; and Michael (Michelle) of Lawrence, Kansas. Their sons and incredible daughters-in-law started their own families with seven children: Emilie, Simon, Brenden, Keaten, Max, Garren, and Rowen.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 p.m., October 20, at Holy Family Catholic Church, 820 Birch Street, Eudora, Kansas 66025. An ice cream reception will follow.

Sunday Mass at Holy Family on October 21 will be dedicated to Dave.