Obituary of David Untiedt
A memorial service for David Untiedt, 76 of Lakefield, Minnesota, will be held Saturday, December 11, 2021 at 2:00pm at Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux Valley, Minnesota. Visitation will be from noon-2pm at the church.
David Henry Harry Untiedt was born in Spirit Lake, Iowa on September 2, 1945 to Lester and Sophia (Petersen) Untiedt. He graduated from Sioux Valley High School in 1963 and completed a 2-year associates degree in Jackson before serving 4 years in the US Air Force during Vietnam. David married Gail Nichols on October 4, 1975. They raised their three children, Emily, Phillip and Jay, in the Sioux Valley area.
David’s talent with a wrench was undeniable. He was the first-person people called when they were in a pinch. From lawn mowers to cars, trucks, tractors, farm implements, and other heavy equipment, David fixed it all. He never shied away from a challenge and always seemed able to just “figure it out”.
Service was at the heart of David's life. For friends and family alike, he was a listening ear and steady hand when emotions got heated. If you needed to talk through a problem, he was always a phone call away, no matter the hour. He was a life-long member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Sioux Valley where he served as an usher, elder and treasurer. He even tried his hand at audio recording - a noble exercise for someone who spent his whole life around loud machines and air hammers. David helped ensure that family history was preserved by actively participating in both Untiedt and Voss family reunions. He was overjoyed with all that the family has achieved since coming from Germany generations ago. He continued his service to the country as an active member of the American Legion since his honorable discharge in 1970. He was proud to march up the hill in Lake Park for the parade each year and was always eager to pay his respects at the funerals of fellow fallen servicemen.
David, “Papa Henry”, loved his wife, children, their spouses, his grandchildren, good friends and community. He enjoyed the simplest things in life – a good story, big belly laughs, healthy debate and early morning phone calls from his wife, kids and grandkids to “get him going”. He was devoted to his Sheltie, Katie, aka his “Roomie”, who was with him until his last day, November 27, 2021. David’s sweet tooth was legendary, his cookie jar never empty and his coffee cup always full.
David is survived by his wife of 46 years, Gail, his daughter Emily (Tim) Harris and their children Amanda, Sophia and Aaron of Rockford, MN, son Phillip Untiedt of Delano, MN, son Jay (Amy) Untiedt and their children Henry, Rose and Tessa of Independence, MN, his brother Chuck (Wanda) Untiedt of Sioux Valley, nephew Lee Untiedt of Lakefield, MN.
He is preceded in death by his grandparents, parents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.