David C. VanNurden

David C. VanNurden passed away on December 3, 2023 in St. Cloud, MN.  A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, December 8 at Johnson Hagglund Funeral Home in Litchfield, MN. A visitation will be held one hour prior. 

Dave was born on May 5, 1939 to Nels VanNurden and Grace (Brower) VanNurden in Litchfield, MN. He graduated from Litchfield High School in 1958, and married Marge Brottem on May 29, 1965 at Zion Lutheran Church in Litchfield, MN. They spent their lives together in Litchfield. 

Dave worked as a Transport Officer for the Sherriff’s Department and at LPC/Innovex. He was also a farmer, a bailiff, a member of the rescue squad, a boat and water patrolman, and a snowmobile patrolman. He enjoyed snowmobiling, mowing the yard, going to the casino on weekends, and joining his friends at the rescue hall for cards, dice, smart talk and coffee. Dave loved to take car rides around Lake Ripley with his wife. He also loved to drive around looking for stray dogs to rescue and people to drive home from work. 

Dave was proud to be an Army Veteran. He was drafted into the Army in November 1961 and was honorably discharged from the Army in October 1967. He was a member of The American Legion Post 104. Dave had a big heart when it came to helping people. He would give the shirt off his back if someone needed it. Dave also was a big animal lover and would take in any pet that needed a home. He loved to play practical jokes on his fellow Rescue Squad members that created many good stories for years to come.

He is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marge VanNurden; his daughter Debbie VanNurden-Baima and son-in-law Charles Baima; his grandchildren Nicole Buck-Leland and Michael (Sam) Buck; his step-grandchildren Jim (Heidi) Moser and Kayla (Scott) Hesse; his great-grandchildren Hannah, Mason, Brynna, Addie, and Callan; his step-great-grandchildren Remi, Ryker, Riley, and Thomas; his three godchildren Shawna Stuber, Wade Bollin, and Kari Nelson; his brother and sister in-law Marc and Carolyn Brottem and sister and brother in-law Dalene and Bob Walsh; and his Rescue Squad family, whom he cherished.

He was preceded in death by his parents Nels and Grace, his sister Ersena Stanley, and his brother Kenneth VanNurden. 

David will be missed and will always remain in our hearts.