by Joanne Wiklund
So sad to lose a straight shooting dedicated member of our church family, David Legler. Like so many men of his generation, their commitment to a walk of faith sustained them when times were tough. They served the community which is now Countryside Christian. He and his wife Deedie lived down the street from the old church in Rapids City for awhile.
We were on the opposite side across the street from the early church. We held VBS in their garage and our old barn. It was a congregation of families raising batches of children of all ages. There were men and women of the previous generation who were still serving, teaching and were good role models for the young guys.
Dave, like the rest of the men there worked their day jobs as plumber, carpenter, mechanic, teacher, insurance man, whatever they did as a vocation. The Bible became their focus and it was so good to watch them grow in the Lord. They learned to stand and pray in public, to handle the Lord’s income, planting and starting I think at least three new churches in and around the QuadCities and continued to support them.
Dave was one of the leaders in the renovation of the now church from gym to sanctuary. All those guys were so involved. In later years, so many 50th Wedding Anniversary celebrations in that group of guys and the wives who served alongside them while raising their families together.
Some times it was hard work. Physical, digging ditches, mowing the lawn, keeping gravel in a driveway or parking lot. With long hours, they became such good friends with trust and fellowship important while they served. So much fun and laughter at themselves mostly.
To Serve the Lord was their aim. They are still missed by those of us who made the journey with them. We cherish the old friends who remain still impacting lives for Jesus. A song I heard recently has such a good message. He Sure Could Use A Few Good Men, with hearts like those we miss so fervently.
RIP Dave Legler.
James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the Devil and He will flee from you.”
James 4:10 “Humble yourself in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
Well said, Joanne! I couldn’t agree more!