David "Dave" Sweet

David (Dave) Sweet of Decorah, IA, passed away on April 8, 2025, at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN.

Please join the Sweet/Winter families for a happy hour to celebrate the life of Dave Sweet!  Friday, May 23 from 4-7 pm at T-Bock’s event space (upstairs), located at 206 W. Water Street, Decorah, IA

Family will hold a private service soon. Please direct condolences to Helms Funeral Home, 306 E. Water St., Decorah, Iowa, and WinnMed Foundation Ambulance Service.

He was born January 16, 1943, in New Hampton, IA, and was united in marriage to Mary Gorman in 1963, spending 61 years together.  They raised five children in West Union, IA, before moving to Decorah, IA.

After high school, Dave received certification from Gale Institute in Minneapolis, MN, and launched his career in the emerging field of computer programming.  In 1979, he developed a computer software system with Gold Cross Ambulance Service of Rochester, MN, to submit electronic claims and business statistics for the ambulance service.  The partnership with Gold Cross Ambulance led to the expansion of his own personal business, Sweet Computer Services, located in West Union, IA.  In 1985, the company focused its strategy to develop and distribute Emergency Medical Services (EMS) software, which led to continued growth and success.  Upon the sale of Sweet Computer Services in 2000, Dave and Mary moved operations to Decorah, IA.

Dave was a successful entrepreneur in the computer software industry specializing in Emergency Medical Services across the country.  As a pioneer in the industry, his company would become the national leader in EMS software.

Throughout his lifetime, Dave was an active community volunteer with local fire departments and served as an Emergency Medical Technician for the West Union Area Ambulance Service.  He supported rural community hospitals as a board member and volunteered as a Senior Health Insurance Program (SHIP) consultant, helping community members understand the transition to Medicare.  In addition, he enjoyed supporting his kids’ activities in little league baseball, scouting, and music.

Dave spent his retirement years on an acreage in rural Decorah, where he and Mary established a tree farm of over 4,000 seedlings.  They enjoyed landscaping activities around the acreage, spending time in the woods, cutting firewood and hosting grandchildren at the farm.  His hobbies included antique tractors, tractor rides, horseback riding, fishing in Canada, trout fishing, woodturning, Decorah Chorale and time spent with friends.  A perfect day for Dave included sipping coffee in the sunroom, woodworking in his shop and savoring a glass of wine as he sat on the porch watching wildlife.

Dave is survived by his wife Mary, his children Joe (Blaire), Jim, Amy (Rich) Winter, Steve (Trinna) and Dan (Jean) and grandchildren Dugan, Mara, Jonathon Winter, Patrick (Molly) Winter, Timothy Winter, Lucas, Emma (Justin) Nolan, Katie and Courtney, plus great granddaughter, Emily Winter.  He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Rose, and brother, Bob, of Cedar Rapids.