David Jerome LaFleur

David Jerome LaFleur, 88, of Sioux City passed away Thursday, October 10, 2019 at a local care center.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, October 14, 2019 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Sioux City with Father Peter Nguyen officiating.  Visitation with the family present will be Sunday, October 13, 2019 from 4:00 – 6:00 P.M. and a Vigil Service at 6:00 P.M. all at the church.  Burial will be at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Jefferson, SD.  Online condolences may be given at www.meyerbroschapels.com.

David was born on July 9, 1931 in Jefferson, SD, to Joseph and Marian (Bernard) LaFleur.  He was employed in the meat packing industry his entire career and was a true innovator of operational excellence while working for several companies including IBP, MBPXL, and John Morrell.  David was named President of Missouri Beef Packers in 1972.  He facilitated a buyout of Excel Packing in Wichita, KS, before negotiating a merger with Cargill Industries, becoming a meat packing giant with processing plants in Missouri, Texas, Idaho, and Kansas.  He was instrumental in helping transition meat packing from cattle slaughtering and shipments of carcasses to further processors, to onsite processing of cattle primals and vacuum packaging to implement boneless boxed beef to retail and foodservice companies world-wide.  He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and was an excellent card player, playing cribbage and gin with family and friends. 

David is survived by his wife of 69 years, Ruth of Sioux City; six children:  Colette (Jim) Hrabik of Omaha, NE, Kevin (Judy) of Loveland, CO, Pamela of Sioux City, Mary (Barry) Bird of Wichita, KS, Joseph (Cindy) of Wichita, KS, David (Linda) of Avon Lake, OH; brother Ray LaFleur of Elk Point, SD; sister JoAnn (Doug) Faber of Phoenix, AZ; 17 grandchildren; and 32 great grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by his parents.

Memorial Contributions may be given to Holy Spirit Retirement Home or Holy Cross-St. Michael’s Parish in David’s Memory.