David G. Alexander
Thursday, March 28, 1929
Date of Death:
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Age:
96 years old
Thursday, March 28, 1929
Date of Death:
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Age:
96 years old
Thursday, March 28, 1929
Date of Death:
Saturday, September 27, 2025
Age:
96 years old
David G. Alexander
David George Alexander, 96, of Rochester, MN died Saturday, September 27, 2025, peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family.
Dave was born March 28, 1929, in Clinton, IA to George and Ethel (Roessler) Alexander. He graduated from Rochester High School in 1947. On July 14, 1956, he married Alyce A. Ivers “Sweet Alyce” at the Osseo Evangelical Lutheran Church in Osseo, WI. The couple lived in Rochester all their married lives. Dave was a self-employed building contractor for over 40 years at the time of his retirement.
He was drafted in 1951 for the Korean war. He served state-side until 1953.
Dave was a carpenter, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. Eventually he took over his father’s business, Alexander & Son Builders. He also owned Alexander Millwork Cabinet Shop. He was Past President of the Rochester Area Home Builders Association.
He loved to play hockey, playing in the 2nd ever boys state high school hockey tournament (1946), bringing home a silver 2nd place medal. Eventually he began coaching youth hockey, even before he had children of his own and continued to coach until his boys started playing high school hockey. The neighborhood kids were always over playing hockey in his self-made hockey rink in his back yard.
Dave’s hobby of pigeon racing was also part of his legacy. He started the Rochester Racing Pigeon Club. The caring, breeding, training, and racing brought him so much joy. For years he also was the Superintendent for the Poultry barn at the Olmsted County Fair, caring for all the pigeon entries.
Dave was a person of deep faith, volunteering his time in several capacities at Homestead Church. His greatest joys were his children and grandchildren. He loved spending time with them whenever he could. His face would light up when we all gathered as a family, especially at the cabin on the Mississippi.
He loved to dance and was a very good dancer (known to many as “twinkle toes”), often taking his family out for dinner and dancing at the Pondarosa Supper Club.
He belonged to the Masonic Lodge, Order of Eastern Star, Shriners, Shriners Cycle Patrol, and 72-year member of FOE and the American Legion Post 92 of Rochester.
He is survived by his wife Alyce, his daughters Nancy (husband Dave Strain) Doughty of Rochester and Beth (Rob) Knutson of Pillager, MN; his son Jim Alexander of Rochester; his Daughter-in-law Rene Alexander of Rochester, 8 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother, his sister, and his son Randy.
If desired, donations to the family will be used to support the Eagle’s Cancer Telethon and Homestead Church of Rochester.
The Memorial Service for Dave will be held on Monday, October 6, 2025 at 1:00PM in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home officiated by Pastor Aaron Justice. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service, at the chapel. Following the reception, burial will be at Grandview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com
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The family of David G. Alexander has received the following condolences.
Dave was a neighbor growing up and a dear friend of my fathers...he was one of the dads I always enjoyed while growing up - a very nice person. I was one of those neighbor boys who used the hockey rink in our back yard (one he built with 2x12's and flooded by hand with a garden hose) to learn to play hockey and had endless hours of fun. He was also one of the "father/son Canadian Fishing Trip" dads - of which we did annually for many years. He was generous in many ways and offered to release a white dove (pigeon) at my wife's funeral. And he was my youth hockey coach....I could go on and on. Truly a wonderful man!
To Jim Alexander & the Alexander Family,
I'm fortunate that my older sister keeps me in the loop on Rochester news. All too often, it's the death of someone from my past. Pretty obvious that Dave lived a full great life. Nonetheless, it's always sad to lose a loved one. I'm sure there will be some tears and sadness, but I hope there's also a good dose of fond memories and laughter. I'd like to share a couple.
My connection with Dave is through his son Jim and it started with the common thread of hockey. Dave teamed up with Gene Campbell and were our Bantam coaches. Gene was soft spoken and eloquent. Dave on the other hand was a bit coarser and more direct! Clearly the two contrasting styles worked. Dave came into the dressing and put it to us straight with no sugar coating. Gene put the pieces back together.
Dave gave me some of my first jobs. I remember him assigning Jim and I the task of back filling along a basement wall by hand. Our only tools were a pair of #2 shovels, a wheelbarrow and a hand tamper. I remember Grandpa George told us to get done with our "gardening" so we could pound some nails.
Speaking of nail pounding, there was the day that Jim and I were shingling a roof while the higher paid carpenters were hauling up shingles to us. Dave happened to stop by the job site and was able to give us a lesson on economics telling us that it was our job to haul the shingles, and the higher paid carpenters were supposed to be going the nailing.
I remember his fondness for racing pigeons and his coops in the back yard, and I always heard from my parents that he was a damn fine dancer.
In the end he always seemed bigger than life to me...sort of a bear like persona with a veracious laugh. I'm certainly glad Dave Alexander was a scene in my life!
I am so sorry to hear of Dave's passing. As a member of the Rochester Racing Pigeon Club for many, many years he will be greatly missed. He was such a great guy to all of us in the club. We pray for the family and will always remember Dave for his friendship and dedication to the Club. God bless! Bob Volden and all the Members of our Club
We are honored David lead the Rochester Area Builders during an important and dynamic part of Rochester's history. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on David's passing. His leadership left an indelible mark on our community, shaping its growth with vision and dedication. His legacy of service and commitment to excellence is remembered by all who knew him. May his memory be a blessing, and may you find comfort in the impact he made.
Patrick Sexton
Executive Director
Rochester Area Builders