David Moehnke
Sunday, October 4, 1942
Date of Death:
Monday, September 9, 2024
Age:
81 years old
Celebration of Life
Date: Friday October 04, 2024
Time: 10:30 am - 12:30 pm
Location: River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home [ view map ]
Sunday, October 4, 1942
Date of Death:
Monday, September 9, 2024
Age:
81 years old
Sunday, October 4, 1942
Date of Death:
Monday, September 9, 2024
Age:
81 years old
David Moehnke
David Charles Moehnke died at the age of 81, on September 9, 2024. He was born on October 4, 1942, at St Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He graduated from John Marshall in 1960. After graduating, Dave and two buddies from the class of 1960, headed to Yellowstone National Park to work for the summer. He then enlisted in the Navy. He was assigned to the Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two. In 1974, he married Ranada Barry. September 20, 2024, would have been their 50th wedding anniversary.
Dave is survived by his wife Ranada; stepdaughter Shelly Romness of Austin, MN; grandchildren Patti (Jon) Puffer of the Twin Cities; Jamie Swank of Kasson, MN; Nick (Katie) Orr of Kenyon, MN; and Mark Anderson of New York, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Florence Moehnke; sisters, Nancy Campbell and Mariann Lampman; brother, Bob Moehnke; stepson, Mark Koperski; and step-grandson Jeffrey Orr.
In 2005, Dave and Renada moved back to the Rochester area after a 30-year absence to be close to family.
Horticulture, landscaping, and environmental issues were an important part of his life, both personally and professionally. With a career in sales management, Dave retired in 2005 from the lawn and garden industry as Vice President of sales/marketing for Heartland Gardens.
Volunteering became an important part of Dave’s retirement. He was a Master Naturalist with over 1,000 hours volunteered. He volunteered as a board member of Quarry Hill Nature Center, volunteered with Citizen Forester, Audubon Society, Bluebird Recovery Program, Minneapolis Men’s Garden Club, and DNR Tree Care Advisory. He volunteered at the May Clinic as a greeter and to assist patients, at Rochester Crime Prevention V.I.P.S., at Rochester Radio Theater, and at Kiwanis. He also assisted with the launch and recovery for Hot Air Balloons. He had a registered Monarch Way Station at his home.
After returning to Rochester, for a while, Dave played Rochester’s “downtown” Santa. Playing Santa Claus gave Dave the most joy. He entertained children, young adults to the elderly. As Santa, he was rescued from the top of the old City Hall by the Rochester Fire Department.
The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of David Charles Moehnke will be from 10:30-12:30 p.m. followed by a luncheon on Friday, October 4, 2024, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester.
In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to Quarry Hill Nature Center.
Condolences
The family of David Moehnke has received the following condolences.
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. RIP. God Bless !
All our blessings,
Bruce & Jan Larson
So sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. RIP. God Bless !
All our blessings,
Bruce & Jan Larson
The Family of Santa Dave
I will never forget the joy that he brought to my Daycare children, my Assisted Living Residents, and myself during the Christmas season! He would call me in July from "The North Pole" in character to plan when his sleigh would arrive in December. I am so thankful that he made the holiday season so much brighter for so many. He will be greatly missed by many. Blessed be his memory.
Jackie Seifert
So very sorry to hear of this great loss to Renada and all the family. Hugs all around! The memories are many and all good. Forest Park Lane neighbor and friend, and coming to Baxter for Chad’s wedding. He will be missed. Good keep you all and know that love never dies and remember all the good times
Susie Sandberg and family.
Dave's Family,
My Dad, Charles Linville, looked at Dave as his best friend in High School. Dad was one of the two guys he went to Yellowstone with the day after High School Graduation. I've seen the picture from the Post Bulletin many times. My Dad also joined the Navy after that summer and stayed in as a Medic for 5 years.
It is so cool to hear about all the time he spent volunteering. He sounds just like how my Dad described him. I lost my Dad two years ago. My heart goes out you . I am sure this has to be an incredibly difficult journey. Please take care of you and treasure the memories and the spontaneity he experienced throughout his life. Natalie Linville-Mass
So sad to hear of Dave's passing! I knew him as such an upbeat, happy guy. We worked together, volunteering for the Zumbro Valley Audubon Society and he taught me much about how to interact with crowds. I loved working with him at the International Owl Festival where he'd bring out his Great Horned Owl puppet and just wow the socks off all the little kids. He was a wonderful man who had a direct impact on thousands of lives - and I will miss him very much.
David was a fantastic man. He loved the natural world and was a fantastic advocate for everything wild. I had the privilege of knowing Dave for many years as a volunteer and friend. He promoted and championed urban forestry in Rochester. Many of the trees you see when driving in the local neighborhoods Dave planted himself with the RNeighbors Citizen Forester program. He was gregarious - well-spoken and had a lot of love in his heart. He had the passion for the earth and all its wonders. David Moehnke was a man to look up to and cherish. It's been many years since I spoke with David - but I will cherish all the memories we shared. Thank you for being you, Dave!