James David

James Robert David, 83, of Ellendale, died on Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at Traditions of Waterville. 

 

He was born November 6, 1942 in Waseca, Minnesota, the son of James and Agnes (Hoffman) David. James was united in marriage to Carolyn Marie David on Saturday, December 2, 1967 in Clarks Grove. They were blessed with three children together. They later divorced. James was raised in Ellendale and graduated from Ellendale High School in 1960. He worked at OTC until retirement.

 

In his free time, he enjoyed riding his Harley Davidson motorcycles, fishing, hunting, and dancing to old time music. He also loved to play horseshoe and bowling, receiving many trophies in both. James was an avid Nascar and dirt track fan, his idol being Dale Earnhardt Sr. #3. He was known for telling jokes, especially Ole and Lena ones, and could always bring a smile to people’s faces. To many, he was known as the Curb Alert Specialist or Neighborhood dumpster diver. 

 

He is survived by his daughters, Dawn (Denis) David-Copp, Debbie David, and DeeAnn David; grandchildren, Dustin David, Tyler (Ellie) Vandler, and Kaitlyn VanDenHemel; great-grandchildren, Anna Newbegin and Negan Kubat; siblings, Richard (Susie) David, Beverly (Henry) Barron, Linda (Gary) O’Connor, and Rebecca Lassahn; and many nieces and nephews. 

 

He was preceded in death by Carolyn David; parents, James and Agnes; brothers, Tom David and Harry David; brother-in-law, Richard Lassahn; and nephews. 

 

A visitation was at Michaelson Funeral Home on Friday, June 26, 2026 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Funeral services were held at Michaelson Funeral Home on June 27, 2026 at 11 a.m. with a visitation one hour prior. Interment was in the Sacred Heart Cemetery in Owatonna.