David Lee Zwahlen

David Lee Zwahlen, our beloved husband, father, and grandfather, was called home unexpectedly on August 27, 2024, at the age of 75, after a short, serious illness. Born July 27, 1949 in Price, Utah, Dave was raised by his loving grandparents Fred and Irene Zwahlen. On his grandparent's apricot farm, he learned the value of hard work as he picked apricots and sold them for 5 cents a bushel. On the orchard, he learned to love bee keeping. He was educated in the Emery County School system, graduating from Emery High School in 1967. He served an honorable mission to Finland for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He loved the Finnish people and his time there influenced him for the rest of his life. 

He attended the College of Eastern Utah in Price, Utah and continued his education at Brigham Young University where he graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree in 1973. He then had a one year internship at LDS Hospital in Idaho Falls, Idaho. Dave was driven and became American Society for Clinical Pathology certified in all areas of the medical lab. He graduated from Brigham Young University in April of 1977 with a double Masters in Microbiology and Chemistry. He bled True Blue and worked 46 years in numerous labs. He married the love of his life Marva Lynne Simms on December 1, 1973 in the Manti Utah Temple. Since then he has dedicated his life to her. Their love was blessed with four boys David Lee, Johnathan, Mark, and Bradley. 

It is hard to say what Dave was good at because he was the best at everything. Dave was a dedicated Boy Scout Leader and was proud of his four sons who all obtained the rank of Eagle Scout and served LDS missions. He was an active member in The Church and served in many callings. Dave found much joy in hunting, fishing, and camping, especially with his family. But above all he enjoyed his treasured Willow Lake on Ferron Mountain. Family vacations were spent traveling to national parks in their tent trailer pulled behind his brown Nissan truck. He taught his boys life long lessons largely how to work hard, the importance of education, how to serve others, and that family comes first. His favorite phrase was, “it needs to be done, so you just do it”.

Dave is survived by his wife, Marva, of Santa Clara; his four sons David Lee (Kara), Johnathan (Robin), Mark (Laura), Bradley (Tyler); eight grandchildren Haylee Oviatt (Branson), Ashlynne, Conner, Brooklynn, David Lee III, Johnathan Alexander, Logan, Scarlet; his cousin, Jackie Grover; and 13 half brothers and sisters. He was preceded in death by his grandparents Fred and Irene Zwahlen, David Clive and Jean Zwahlen, and many cherished dogs.

Our family would like to thank the Intensive Care Unit at IHC St. George Regional Hospital. You made the impossible bearable.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 7th at 11am with a visitation prior to services at 9:30 to 10:30 am at the Chapel on 3815 Rachel Drive in Santa Clara, Utah. There will be a visitation on Friday, September 6th from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at the same location.