David Dale Doughan

David Dale Doughan, age 69 of Ankeny, IA passed away on August 29, 2026, at his home in Ankeny from non small cell lung cancer, he was surrounded by his family. He was born on January 19, 1957, in Britt, Iowa to Dale and Marcella (Wellik) Doughan. After graduating from Algona High School in 1975, Dave received a B.A. degree from Buena Vista University in Storm Lake in 1979, and a second B.A. (teaching) degree from the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls in 1984. At U.N.I., Dave was a member of the International Student Association where he made friends with many of the South Korean students and then decided to go teach in South Korea in 1985. Dave helped start an American school in Kwangju and served as a teacher and the school principal. He taught at various language institutes and universities in five cities throughout Korea until 2003 and was grateful for the kindness of the South Koreans that he met along the way. When Dave returned to the U.S. in 2003, he took graduate classes at Iowa State University in Ames and then taught Special Education for 10 years. Afterwards, he was a substitute teacher for 5 years for Ankeny Schools teaching kindergarten to 12th grade. Dave always did his best helping all the students learn and enjoy school. Throughout his life, Dave enjoyed entering contests and won a Midas cruise to Alaska taking his mother for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. He also enjoyed watching movies, going to concerts and plays, using his sense of humor, and spending time with his many family members. Dave also loved dogs and had two miniature white poodles Chewy and Lady when he lived in Korea. When COVID started in 2020, Dave stopped teaching to spend more time with his mother. They went to plays, concerts, and traveled. Dave was a member of All Saints Catholic Church in Des Moines where he attended mass with his mother and family members. Father Chris visited him and helped give him comfort by focusing on Jesus. As a child, Dave attended St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church in Algona. Father John and Father Steve in Algona visited the Doughan home many times and became close family friends. Dave was preceded in death by his grandparents Ray and Marie Doughan and Frank and Lillian Wellik, Sr. all from Britt. He was also preceded in death by his father Dale Doughan from Algona, his brother-in-law Bill Stepanek from Cedar Rapids, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. He is survived by his mother Marcella Doughan of Ankeny, brother Larry and Connie Doughan of Orange City, brother Tim and Julie Doughan of Robertsdale, AL, sister Connie and Pat Esser of Atlanta, GA, sister Barb Stepanek of Cedar Rapids, sister Kathy and Keith Vitzthum of Slater, brother Ray and Becky Doughan of West Des Moines, and sister Lisa Doughan and Elaine Ragan of Ankeny. He is also survived by many wonderful nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 AM Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the All Saints Catholic Church 650 NE 52nd Ave., Des Moines, Iowa 50313. Visitation will be held from 8:30 AM until service time, at the church on Tuesday. Burial will be 3PM Tuesday, September 8, 2026 Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Algona, Iowa.

David Dale Doughan

January 19, 1957 - August 29, 2026