David Allen Brave Heart

David Allen Brave Heart, age 65, of Mankato, died surrounded by family on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 at home after a courageous journey with ALS.

Visitation will be held from 4-6pm, Thursday, April 13, 2023 at Northview ~ North Mankato Mortuary. Prayer service will begin at 6pm, led by Father John Robertson, and a meal will follow until 8pm. Please share a memory of Dave with his family at www.mankatomortuary.com.

David was born October 27, 1957 in Watford City, ND to Basil Albert and Dolores Iva (Hopkins) Brave Heart. After graduating from Chisago City High School, Dave earned a bachelor’s degree from Black Hills State University in Spearfish, SD and worked as a PE teacher and coach on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Later, Dave worked as a cultural consultant in Minnesota with American Indian prison inmates, focusing on lowering recidivism rates, healing, sobriety, and supporting cultural identity. He owned Brave Heart Construction in Colorado where he practiced and taught natural building techniques, including strawbale construction. Dave loved his work as a Prevention Specialist with Tribal Tech, LLC, a Native American women-owned small business dedicated to providing better health, security, and well-being for all.

Dave married Sara Chaffee in September 2000 in Taylors Falls, MN, and they’ve been an active part of the Mankato community since 2011. He served as Treasurer of the Mankato Reconciliation Pow Wow from 2012-2016 and Chairman from 2016-2022. Dave was a former member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, Bethlehem Lutheran Church, and was also active in Dakota/Lakota culture and spirituality. His hobbies and interests included making drums, playing the Native American cedar flute, fishing, gardening, beekeeping, woodworking, cooking, grilling, baking, and remodeling. Some of Dave’s most treasured accomplishments included working in prevention and healing with Native American people.

David is survived by his wife, Sara Brave Heart of Mankato; children, Michael White of Bemidji, Gerald (Alexis) Veaux of Winnebago, Cyrus Brave Heart of Mankato, and Clementine Brave Heart of Mankato; grandchildren, Kie, Sean, Alaina, Lincoln, and Amayah; father and step-mother, Basil and Charlotte Brave Heart of Pine Ridge, SD; and siblings, Carla (Bill) Gaseoma, Robert (Evaleen) Brave Heart, Maggie (Rob) Cole, Connie (Benny) Moreno, Stacy Brave Heart, and Stephanie Drake.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Dolores Miller; and son, Cedar Brave Heart.