August 10, 1957 – March 30, 2026
David Dorenkamp, age 68, long-time Thornton resident and 30 year volunteer firefighter, passed away suddenly on Monday, March 30, 2026 at his home. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at the Thornton United Methodist Church. He will be laid to rest with a family graveside inurnment at the Pleasant View Cemetery in Thornton. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM on Monday at the church. Woodley Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for David and his family.
David Scott Dorenkamp was born on August 10, 1957 to Richard and Janice (Burma) Dorenkamp in Mason City, Iowa. He graduated from Meservey-Thornton High School class of 1975. On August 7, 1982 David was united in marriage to Jan Springer at the United Methodist Church in Clear Lake, Iowa.
In David’s younger years he worked for Dick Floy and then worked in city maintenance for the city of Thornton. He proceeded on to work for the Clear Lake Bakery, where he retired after 31 years.
David was a dedicated volunteer member of the Thornton Fire Department for 30 years and also served on the Thornton Board of Adjustment for many years. He was known for his unwavering commitment to the Thornton community and he would be the first to lend a helping hand with anything you need.
David was a family man. He was kind and generous to his wife, daughters and grandchildren, and he loved attending all of their activities. In retirement David loved traveling with his family and going south for the winter with his wife, Jan. He enjoyed the outdoors, going for walks, golfing with his daughters and brother in-law in tournaments, and playing in the afternoon with the Legends. He loved the Iowa Hawkeyes and competing in March Madness brackets. His passion for classic rock music was infectious and he especially enjoyed rocking out at a concert with his family.
Those left to cherish the loving memories of David are his wife, Jan Dorenkamp of Thornton, Iowa; daughters, April Dorenkamp (Mick Hennick), Tara (Abel) Bojorquez; grandchildren: Rylan Dorenkamp, Devin Hennick, and Lexi Hennick. He is also survived by his mother, Janice Dorenkamp; mother in-law, Rose Springer; siblings: Linda (Allyn) Waddingham, Gary (Beth) Dorenkamp, Alan (Julie) Dorenkamp, Lisa (Kevin) Hoffman; brother in-law, Dennis (Sharon) Springer; sister in-law, Deb (Terry) Lerdal and many family and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Richard Dorenkamp; father in-law, Duane Spinger; brother in-law, Ron Springer and nephew, Dustin Hoffman.
For those planning an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Thornton Fire Department in honor of David.
The family also wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the EMT’S and Paramedics of the MercyOne Air Med team, whom responded with such skill and compassion and the local first responders for their tireless efforts, care and dedication to our loved one.
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