David George "Dave" 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 2 nd ever boys state high school hockey tournament (1946), bringing home a silver 2 nd 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, MN and Beth (Rob) Knutson of Pillager, MN; son Jim Alexander of Rochester, MN; 8 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his brother, sister and son. 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