David L. "Dave" Mau

It was Dave's wishes to be cremated. No services will be held at this time.
The family of Dave will have a Celebration of Life at a later date.
Memorials may be directed to the family for a later designation. Memorials may be directed to:
Mrs. Jasmine Slezak
2215 Road L
Milligan, NE 68406
David Lee Mau was born in Hastings, Nebraska on July 9, 1949. The oldest of four siblings, to Morris and Betty (Baker) Mau. He passed away on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Jefferson Community Health & Life Center in Fairbury, Nebraska at the age of 75.
He attended Sutton Elementary School in Sutton, Nebraska until May 1961, then moving to Alexandria, Nebraska he graduated with the Class of 1967.
In January 1968, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corp. He was stationed at several training camps including San Diego, California; Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, California; U.S. Naval Station in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. The most notable being Camp Lajeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where he took supply training and his father Morris took his basic training during WWII. Dave studied Vietnamese language while attending the Defense Language Institute in Presidio of Monterey, California. In March 1970 he left for Okinawa, Japan where he was stationed for one year. Upon his return to the U.S., he re-enlisted for two years, spending time in Santa Ana, California and finishing in Yuma, Arizona, where he was honorably discharged in January 1974.
After he returned home from the service Dave married Mary Jane Hess on August 25, 1978, in Fairbury, Nebraska and later divorced. He then married Leta K. Hahn on February 27, 1982, in Hollenberg, Kansas and to them a daughter, Jasmine Bree was born. They made their home in York, Nebraska and later divorced in 1986. Dave made his permanent home in Fairbury, Nebraska in 2001.
Later in his life, Dave worked at different construction companies in Southern Nebraska and Iowa. He also worked at Reinke Manufacturing in Deshler and Endicott Clay Products in Endicott, Nebraska. In his spare time, he enjoyed working security at bars in Fairbury and Kearney. He enjoyed physical labor and working with his hands. After retirement, he found joy and comradery in driving the van for the Jefferson County Veterans Services Office, taking Veterans to appointments.
Dave had a special relationship with his daughter, Jasmine. As a father he was patient, protective, strong, unique and a little stubborn. He was a hands-on Dad, whether that be finger painting, playing dolls, baking in the Easy Bake oven, teaching his craft for playing chess or being easily convinced we needed another animal to become part of our family. He could also be known to make the best weekend morning ham and cheese omelets.
In his later years, Dave enjoyed spending the holidays with Jasmine, his son-in-law Shane and his two grandkids Noah and Lily. He also enjoyed casual visits and heated political conversation with family and friends, attending his granddaughter Lily's activities, drinking Pepsi (with Captain Morgan in his wilder days), watching Fox News and all things Trump.
Dave is preceded in death by Betty Mau (Mother), Morris Mau (Father), Maxine Linder (Aunt), Arnie Linder (Uncle) and Jeff Mau (Nephew).
Dave is survived by his daughter Jasmine (Shane) Slezak of Milligan, grandchildren Noah Bradley of Kearney and Lily Jeffries of Milligan, brother Terry (Mary) Mau of Alexandria, sister Deborah (Keith) Hintz of Deshler, brother Randy (Peggy) Mau of Alexandria, along with a host of nephews, nieces, cousins and friends.
Cheers Dad, to a life well lived!
Family and friends are invited to join us for a Celebration of Life to be held at a later date.