David Bruce Boleyn left us February 1, 2026 to join his Lord and Savior, Jesus, and his loved ones who have preceded him in Heaven. He left us from the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, Iowa, where he had been a resident for eight months. David was born June 9, 1946 to Leo Vernon and Freida Mae (Miller) Boleyn at his family home in “Little Canada”, Elgin, Iowa on the banks of Otter Creek. He joined siblings, Raymond, Robert, Marilyn, Barbara, and Roger and welcomed his brother, Dennis, three years later.
David grew up enjoying the family acreage learning to hunt, fish, and trap. He provided venison, rabbit, squirrel, pheasant, and fish of many species for his family, throughout his life. He also trapped muskrat with his brothers for extra spending money. His favorite fishing spots were the Mississippi River, Otter Creek, Turkey River, and many farm ponds. He enjoyed fishing farm ponds around his daughter and son-in-law’s property in Southern Iowa, where the crappie and bluegill were larger than his hand and the bass were trophy size. David taught his hunting and fishing skills to his children and grandchildren and also taught them how to prepare and cook the meat. David was an avid Hawkeye Men’s Football and Basketball teams fan and when son, John attended Iowa State, the Cyclones came in a close second. He faithfully followed Nascar and had many favorite drivers through the years. David’s ball cap collection was over 50 and counting.
David attended Elgin Elementary, Clermont Junior High, and Valley High School, graduating with the Class of 1964. David attended Masonry School for Bricklaying in Des Moines, IA in 1966. He enjoyed traveling to Des Moines in his pride and joy, a 1966 Chevy Chevelle Super Sport 396. He also enjoyed “gadding” about Elgin in his 2017 Polaris side by side, visiting friends, stopping at Guppy’s for a hamburger, and sharing cookies he baked with the men at the local gas station gab fest. David joined the Jr. High School Band and quickly advanced to first chair trumpet which he kept all through High School. He also played taps for many Memorial Day Services at local cemeteries. David survived prostate cancer at age 56, living to see all his grandchildren grow up, teaching them the game of Yahtzee with many raucous games but remained a Yahtzee champion.
David married his high school sweetheart, Kay Marlene Miller, on October 3, 1964 at the First Baptist Church in Elgin, Iowa. Four children were born to this union, David Bruce, Jr., Elizabeth Ann, John David, and Rebecca Lea. They shared sixty-one years together, fifty-two years at their Cedar Road home in Elgin until David entered the nursing home June 4, 2025. At the nursing home, David was loved by all the staff and residents, sharing his friendship, gift of music, and many sweet treats.
David worked as a Skilled Mason Craftsman with his father, Leo and his brother Raymond. He also owned Boleyn Construction and worked for many construction businesses throughout his career, including SMI, Great Plains Co Op, Mueller Concrete, Tank Brothers, and Rusty Berger. He was very particular about details and perfection and would do a task over if it wasn’t right. His handiwork can be seen in many local businesses and homes, his son’s home in Humboldt, IA, and other cities in Iowa, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. He remodeled the family home and in 1992 he built Kay a wall and chimney from salvaged brick from the demolished Elgin Elementary School. He also used his skills to help many people remodel their own homes and other various projects. His last jobs were attaching cultured stone on the front of the new First Baptist Church and building the fireplace in the Fireplace Room.
David became a member of the First Baptist Church when he accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at the age of twelve and was baptized upon the Profession of his Faith. He served as a deacon, trustee, AWANA leader, and sang in the church choir for over fifty years. David shared his gift and talent for music throughout his life, participating in many Easter and Christmas Cantatas and weekly church services. Along with Kay, David sponsored many concerts in Elgin to share God’s love in the community.
David was a Beloved Husband, Father and Grandfather, and Friend to many. Surviving him are his wife of sixty- one years, Kay Boleyn; daughter, Beth ( Kurt) Hall of Leon, Iowa and their children, Isaac, Eily, Abram (friend, Ruth E. Gutch) and Anden; son, John ( Dianna) Boleyn of Humboldt, Iowa and their children, Kelly (Joe) Forsting and Aaron ( friend, Katie Jansma); daughter, Becky (Matt) Holbach of Gustine, Texas and their children, Matthew Holbach and his son, Shane, Michael (Sarah) Holbach and Malachi (Christine) Holbach and their son, Abel; sisters-in-law, Donna Boleyn and Gretchen Boleyn, both of Elgin, Iowa, and many nieces, nephews and friends who love him dearly.
David was preceded in death by his parents, Leo and Frieda Boleyn; his five-week-old son, David Jr. in 1966; brothers, Raymond (Lois) Boleyn, Robert (Rosella) Boleyn, Roger Boleyn and Dennis Boleyn; and his sisters, Marilyn (Linus Hildebrand Jr.) and Barbara Meese.
A Visitation will be held from 4 – 7 p.m. Friday February 13, 2026 at the First Baptist Church, Canoe Road, Elgin, Iowa, there will also be a one-hour Visitation before Services at the Church on Saturday.
Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 00 a.m. on Saturday February 14, 2026 at The First Baptist Church, Canoe Road, Elgin, Iowa.
Inurnment will be at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Good Samaritan Society in West Union, Iowa or the charity of your choice.
Leonard-Grau Funeral Home and Cremation Service of Elgin, Iowa is assisting the family with services.