David George Hommes

1942 - 2024

David died peacefully on September 11 after a brief illness. He is survived by his wife, Linda Schmidtz Hommes; daughter Dawn Clark; son Brett Hommes; stepson Tyler Schmidtz (Kari); sister, Georgia and 4 grandchildren.

He was born April 20, 1942 to Gayle Billstrom and George (Jiggs) Hommes. He joined the Navy in the early entry program in 1958 and graduated from Robbinsdale High School in 1960. He was attached to Naval Reserve stations in Minneapolis; Alameda, CA; Glenview, IL; Rota, Spain; and Point Mugu, CA, completing 23 years of service and retiring as a Chief Yeoman.

He met Linda while both were attached to Naval Air Station Twin Cities and married in 1980. Upon retirement, he worked briefly for Regis Corporation, J-Mark Tool & Die Company, Bieswingers Hardware and Golden Valley Nursing Home before he and Linda moved to a small farm near Aitkin, MN in 1991. He then worked for Fremling Cabinetry doing cabinet work for local residents. Deciding he wanted a more flexible schedule, he then remodeled their aging barn into his own cabinet workshop. Friends and neighbors kept him busy with remodeling and custom-made wood projects.

David was a former president of Aitkin's Friends of the Arts, served on the Fund-raising Task Force for Aitkin's new library addition, member of Jaques Art Center, Foundation Board of Riverwood Healthcare Center, adjunct for the local DAV chapter, member of First Lutheran's kingsmen, Men in Mission and confirmation mentor. He loved being a kindergarten "Book Buddy" and 3rd grade Grandfriend. He was especially fond of his many young friends.

David and Linda were selected as Aitkin's Riverboat Captain and Queen serving 2005-06 and received Aitkin's Warren Potter Award for community involvement and commitment in 2019. They were also graduates of the Blandin Community Leadership Program.

Besides woodworking, David was a volunteer part-time coach for both Aitkin's girls and boys tennis teams and actively played tennis for many years. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, watching high school sports and reading (especially mysteries). He was a long-time volunteer at Outlaw Ranch, Custer, SD where he worked on camp building projects.

Linda and David loved outdoor adventures and canoed the Green River out of Moab, CO, kayaked around Isle Royale; backpacked in the Grand Canyon; hiked in the Tetons and rode horses on a horseback pack trip in northeast ID. They enjoyed annual gatherings with Navy friends, attended theater and music events and enjoyed making wine with the Aitkin Winers.

David loved their small farm, which was designated a Certified Tree Farm, and cared for their two goats, flock of chickens, a rabbit and through the years made a home for many rescued felines.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son, Michael.

A celebration of life will be held at 11 am, Friday, September 27, at First Lutheran Church, Aitkin, with visitation 5-7 pm on Thursday, September 26, at Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and one hour prior to the service at the church. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 86 and VFW Post 1727 following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Gideons, DAV and Wild and Free Rehabilitation Center. To leave a message of condolence, please visit: www.srtfuneral.com. Arrangements are with Sorensen-Root-Thompson Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Aitkin.