David Freylack

David (Davo/Wavo/Big Dave/Daddio/Grampy) Lee Freylack Surrounded by his loving family, Dave Freylack passed away peacefully on June 13, 2022. Dave was born on March 24th, 1955 to Carolyn and Ray Freylack in Des Moines, IA. He attended St. Anthony's Catholic School and graduated from Dowling Catholic High School in 1973. In 1977 he married his high school sweetheart, Peggy, spending nearly 50 years together. They soon welcomed two daughters into the world - Lindsay and Sarah whom he adored. And went on to shower his four grandchildren with unconditional love and fun memories. Dave was a loving, supportive, protective and very proud husband, father and grampy. His family was by far his life’s greatest accomplishment. Dave spent his childhood years living on the South Side of Des Moines. He was one of nine siblings who spent much time at the family-owned Birdland Marine, where Dave fine-tuned his mechanic genius. Upon graduating high school, he took over the operation of Birdland Marine with his mom, Carolyn, by his side. He possessed the rare combination of magnetic storytelling along with mechanical skill, which carried Birdland Marine into legendary status. Summers on the Des Moines River at Birdland Marine were not only a boating hub, but a place that Dave crafted to host his many customers and friends with his exceptional food, laughter and tunes. His legacy lives on here as the “good ol’ days” of the Des Moines River. If you know, you know! Dave was passionate about a great deal, namely biking, fishing, boating, NASCAR, cooking, hanging out in his Galodge and spending time with family. As an avid boater and highly skilled captain, he loved to take family and friends out on beautiful sunset cruises and most “at home” when fishing on Shell Lake in Wisconsin. A stranger to no one, father-figure to many, dynamic storyteller and a trademark whistle you couldn’t miss. Dave’s life was full as he lived hard, loved hard, played hard and laughed hard. He touched everyone's lives and made it a point to make all those he encountered feel important and special. He showed up when it mattered, had your back, gave selflessly, and would defend and stand up for his loved ones should the need for it arise. He kept us safe. He loved fiercely and deeply and we take comfort in knowing that Dave is now at peace surrounded by light. In 2017, Dave was diagnosed with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). PPA is a rare dementia syndrome that affects a person’s language. Adults of any age can develop PPA, but it is most diagnosed in persons under 65. Because PPA is progressive, language ability, as well as physical abilities continue to decline. This is a cruel disease, and it was a long, difficult journey for Dave. As you can imagine, losing his ability to speak as an extrovert and avid storyteller was a devastating diagnosis for him and those who loved him. However, he fought it with grace and fiercely until his last breath. Though he was taken from us too soon, he will be forever remembered and missed by his family and friends. His legacy will live on through each of us who he impacted in some way. Dave will continue to shine down his love, kindness, generosity and humor. Dave is survived by his wife, Margaret “Peggy” Freylack; daughters, Lindsay (Alex Minnick) Freylack and Sarah Gaskell; grandchildren, Hazel and Zoe Minnick and Harrison and Lucie Gaskell; siblings, Thomas Freylack, Nancy Valone, Susan Freylack, Mary (John) Smahaj, John Freylack, Joseph (Christina) Freylack and Kate (Art) Coppola; many dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces & great-nephews; aunts and uncles; cousins and extended family; beloved friends and Godchildren (Jameson Valone and Will Lawson). And countless “River Rats”. He was preceded in death by his parents, Carolyn & Ray Freylack, and his beloved brother, Matt Freylack. On Friday, June 17th, a public visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. with prayers at 6:30 p.m. at Caldwell Parrish Funeral Home, 8201 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA, 50322. The funeral mass will take place on Saturday, June 18th at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 1627 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50265. In Dave’s honor, donations can be directed to the family via check written to Peggy Freylack or Venmo (@lindsayfreylack). The family plans to donate funds to The Mesulam Center for Cognitive Neurology and Alzheimer’s Disease at Northwestern University world-renowned for its primary progressive aphasia (PPA) research. Their work is focused on improving the diagnosis of PPA, validating new diagnostic biomarkers, identifying risk and genetic factors, understanding disease progression and developing innovative treatments.