David Nicholas Reese, 84, Vining, following an extended battle with Covid under Hospice passed onto the Lord peacefully at his home surrounded by his family on Saturday, November 6, 2021. Funeral Services were held on Friday, November 19, 2021 at St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Henning, with Fr. Leroy Schik officiating. Congregational hymns were accompanied by Paul Malecha. Dave was laid to rest at St. Edward’s Catholic Church Cemetery in Henning. 

Dave was born January 9, 1937, to John Reese and Myrtle (Martinson) Reese Naumann in Greenbush, Minn. After graduating from Thief River Falls High School in 1955, Dave attended Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minn. He graduated with a BS in Chemistry in 1959. Following college, his first job was at Honeywell where he worked as a research chemist. He left Honeywell after several years to help form E & M Industries in 1970. The company grew and changed its name to Innovex. Years later, in 1992, Dave started his own business, renaming it E & M Industries, moving his business to Henning, where he built products to support the aviation industry. He continued to work until his death. 

Dave met the love of his life on a blind date and was united in marriage to Judy Mengelkoch on September 12, 1964. They made their home in Coon Rapids, Minn. Over the next five years their family grew to include five children. They were active members of Epiphany Catholic Church in Coon Rapids, Minn., where all their children received a Catholic education. After they moved to the farm in 1996, they became active members of St. Edward’s Catholic Church in Henning. It was there that they met and became lifelong friends with their priest at the time, Father Al Holmes. 

Those who knew Dave would agree that he was a very gentle soul who lived his life with the singular purpose of steadfastly serving the Lord. He was an exemplary Catholic steward and mentored many as a religious education teacher, as well as by being a devoted husband and a doting father who led by example. Dave loved children and they readily loved him back. Dave’s generosity was endless and extended beyond his family and friends. He lived a simple, untroubled life because of his faith in God, untethered by technology, or societal norms. He valued self-reliance and was never idle, except on Sunday, his day of rest. His hobbies included gardening, walking his property with his beloved dog, Ratchet, attending Latin mass, an occasional golf outing, taking care of animals who had a natural affinity to him, and reading about natural health remedies, of which he was not shy about using or sharing with those who were interested. Dave loved his life on the farm and welcomed visitors openly. He found much joy spending time with his family and friends. 

Dave will be deeply missed by his loving family; children:  Tim Reese, St. Francis, Minn., Mike (Randi) Reese, Kelliher, Minn., Lisa (Jim) Newenhouse, West Fargo, N.D., and Dan (Brenda) Reese, Henning; grandchildren:  Steven and Michael Hanson, David and Nate Reese, Nicole and Tabitha Reese, Greg, Lindsay and Jack Newenhouse, Tyler Reese; sister, Madeline Hewitt, sister, Sylvia Ross, sister-in-law Karen Reese, brother, Coke Reese, and many other relatives. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Judy; brother Conway Reese; and son, Gregory. 

Please visit www.karvonenfuneralhome.com to leave memorials and condolences on Dave’s Tribute Wall. 

Arrangements provided by Belmont-Karvonen Funeral & Cremation Service of Henning.