Samuel D. Cretsinger

Samuel D. Cretsinger, age 90, of Coon Rapids passed away peacefully on Friday, May 24, 2019 at Thomas Rest Haven in Coon Rapids.

Funeral service will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Wednesday, May 29, 2019 at the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids with Rev. Joyce Webb officiating. Casket bearers will be Jonathan Cretsinger, Stuart Cretsinger, Ethan Cretsinger, Gavin Cretsinger, Jared Kenyon, Conner Kenyon, Logan Kenyon, and Cole Cretsinger.  Burial will be in the Orange Township Cemetery near Coon Rapids.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 5:00 - 7:00 P.M. at the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids.  The casket will be moved to the First United Methodist Church in Coon Rapids at 9:30 A.M. on Wednesday where visitation will resume until 10:15 A.M.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Dahn and Woodhouse Funeral Home in Coon Rapids and online condolences may be left for the family at www.dahnandwoodhouse.com

Born on June 11, 1928 on his family’s farm south of Coon Rapids, he was the son of Estus and Mildred (Coffman) Cretsinger.  His family moved to the current Cretsinger family farm when Sam was in his early teens.  He graduated from Coon Rapids High School in 1944 and then went on to Drake University where he studied seminary and music.  This is where he met the love of his life, Corrine Wiltsie, and they were married in November of 1948 at University Christian Church in Des Moines.  After college, Sam and Corrine came back to Coon Rapids where they farmed until moving into Coon Rapids in 1977.  In 1966, Sam began working at Annear Insurance Agency, which later became the Coon Rapids Insurance Agency, where he sold insurance and real estate until his retirement in 1991.  The Cretsingers were very active in the First Christian Church of Coon Rapids for many years where Sam served as Chairman and on the Board of Elders.  He served on the Home Mutual Insurance Company board of Manning, IA, for 36 years, he was a past president and secretary of the Coon Rapids Rotary Club, and he was a member of the Gideons and FFA Alumni.  Sam and Corrine sang at many weddings and funerals over the years.  Sam enjoyed flying and watching airplanes, going to the farm to make sure things were running smoothly, but most of all he enjoyed spending time with his family.

Sam is survived by his three sons and their families: Doug Cretsinger (Connie) of Grimes, IA, Dan Cretsinger (Marci) of Houston, TX, and Wiltsie Cretsinger (Mary) of Coon Rapids; ten grandchildren: Troy Cretsinger (Becky) of Des Moines, Michael Cretsinger (Suzie) of Byron, IL, Sean Cretsinger (Erin) of Elkhart, IA, Rachel Kenyon (Aaron) of Coon Rapids, Dana Cretsinger of Houston, TX, Sam Cretsinger of Oklahoma City, OK, Jonathan Cretsinger (Randi) of Coon Rapids, Stuart Cretsinger (Melissa) of Ankeny, IA, Ethan Cretsinger (Kennedi) of Coon Rapids, and Gavin Cretsinger of Coon Rapids; 28 great-grandchildren; a sister Darlene Bowman of Coon Rapids; a sister-in-law Willa Johnson of Ohio; and several nieces and nephews.

Sam was preceded death by his parents Estus and Mildred Cretsinger; his mother and father-in-law Obe and Sophia Wiltsie; a sister Madeline Kretzinger; an infant grandson Andrew; and his wife Corrine in 2015.