David Costello

To view the livestream of David's celebration of life, please click on the tribute wall above and select "watch now." Husband/Dad, David, wrote his own obituary. It was a good time working on it this past year with him. May you enjoy it as much as we did reflecting on his life before he passed: David Costello, 80, of Des Moines, passed away at his home on Friday, March 4, 2022. A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at Assumption Church Gym in Granger, 1906 Sycamore St, Granger, IA 50109. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be donated to the homeless, the Emmaus House, or the Des Moines Catholic Worker House. David Costello was born March 10, 1941, to Farmer and Marie Costello on a farm between Granger and Dallas Center. He attended Assumption Catholic School and loved the childhood offerings of the area. Living on a farm teaches kids skills that can never be taught quite so “hands on” or thoroughly in a classroom - raising food, working hard, communication, caring, safety, weather, the cycle of life, and the importance of family and neighbors. David married in his 20’s and is Dad to John (Waukee) and Kim (San Diego). After a difficult financial stint with farming, he worked for Firestone Tire and eventually became a union leader. His career there was cut short by a back injury, but you are never too old and it is never too late. In his 40’s, David attended Iowa State University and achieved a Master’s degree in Human Resource Management and taught some classes there. He divorced and remarried his beloved wife and fabulous dance partner, Mary, and started his new HR career. At the age of 50, David accepted that working for others was not his life goal. He quit his job and returned to nature and building things. He and Mary built a beautiful home and barn on 120 acres next to a state forest in Unionville, IA - it was called Songwood. At the age of 57, David again showed you are never too old and it is not too late, by selling Songwood and he and his then 46 year old wife, Mary, reduced their worldly possessions to two 70 pound backpacks and joined the Peace Corps. They learned Spanish and moved to Ecuador to help farmers there improve their farming methods. After returning to the US, they took up residence in Des Moines. Rekindling old acquaintances, he happened upon Father Dan Krettek who invited him to attend Mass twice a week at the Emmaus House. He met Frank Cardaro at the Catholic Worker’s House. He and his friend, Charlie Galeazzi, started Hope Builders. Hope stands for Help Other People Everyday. They worked with over 280 homeless people to help them meet their basic needs for life. The Des Moines winters can be very cold and David is a firm believer that the wealth of a community is only measured by how well it treats those in most need. He convinced Des Moines to build a new homeless shelter. David enjoyed his journey and as he reflected in his later years on the meaning and purpose of life, he said the key is this: “Life is all about relationships. Money has little to do with wealth at the end of the journey. Really our lives are all about relationships.” David is survived by his wife, Mary Kanealy; son, John Costello; daughter, Kim Jenkins; grandsons, Anthony and Mason; brothers, Dan, Joe (Barbie), and Mike Costello; sister, Mary Ann Kinkade (Bruce); and sister-in-law, Sharon Costello. He was preceded in death by his parents; and siblings, Janet and Dick. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.caldwellparrish.com.