David Wonnenberg

David John Wonnenberg was born May 31, 1944, the first of the five sons of William and Alvina (nee Lindwurm) Wonnenberg in Burke, South Dakota. He died peacefully April 23, 2023, at Fort Bend Healthcare Center in Rosenberg, Texas, after a long bout with Parkinson's Disease.
At an early age Dave aspired to follow in his father's footsteps at their farm near Paxton, South Dakota. He was quick to learn all he could about farming and livestock. When he was seven, the Rural Electric Association brought electricity to the farm, and that winter heard that twin calves were saved from winter's cold by a heat lamp. They came out for a picture and headed to the barn. There was no stopping Dave going to the barn! The front page photo of the REA magazine showed Dave in the barn, beaming in cap and coat, his arms wrapped around the adoring calves. When he later saw his published photo, he was afraid his teacher might think he played hooky, because the morning the press came, his mother had said he was too sick to go to school.
During their first years at the one-room Sioux Valley School, Dave and Ken got up early to help their dad milk, then off they rode on a horse! In third grade, Dave began reading books offered by the tiny school library. When all were read, he'd read them again! He showed his brothers "the ropes" in showing cattle for 4-H Achievement Days. He taught them how to best judge at cattle judging schools. And he made sure they put enough "oomph" into hauling bales! He liked to go fishing on Sunday afternoons with his brothers at neighbors' dams (a passion he'd pass on to his four children).
Dave as a high school senior showed his toughness as a Gregory Gorilla. He not only played offensive but defensive tackle all through a football game. He let it be known, his 1961 team was the only 11-man Gorilla team that never lost a game. Dave was given the State Farmer of the Year Award by the Future Farmers of America organization. He was also recognized for his superior tenor voice at All State Chorus.
While at South Dakota State University, the National Livestock and Meat Board presented Dave high awards at intercollegiate beef grading and meat judging events, notably in Dallas, Texas, and Kansas City, Missouri.
Dave graduated with a BS Degree in Animal Science from SDSU in 1966. He was then commissioned as an officer in the Army. He attended Quartermaster School, graduating top of his class. Due to his leadership ability, he was assigned as Company Commander of a basic training infantry unit at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. This was rare, as such a position was only given to at least a Captain's rank. In Dave's case, as a Second Lieutenant with only one ten-week cycle of training, an "unheard of" exception was made.
Dave had great responsibility as a Company Commander, with conscientious concern that his troops be ready for combat. He requested deployment to Vietnam but was told he was needed more on the home front. Under his command, his unit achieved several awards. He completed his Army service in 1969 with the rank of First Lieutenant.
But before his honorable discharge, Dave wrote home, "I'm ready to trade in my army boots for cowboy boots," and he bought a small herd of Angus and had them trucked up from Missouri.
Out of the service and back in South Dakota, Dave tended his cattle and helped his dad, and together specialized in breeding Black Angus cattle and selling bulls.
Dave became active in the Union Congregational Church in Gregory, teaching children's Sunday School, serving on the board and as treasurer, and rarely missed midweek choir practice.
One evening at a dance in Dallas, Dave met Quyen Nguyen, who had fled from South Vietnam. They fell in love and were wed October 25, 1975, in Gregory at Union Congregational Church. The couple would be married 47-1/2 years, devoted to each other all the way.
Dave and Quyen moved their family from Gregory to Winner, SD when he became a Tripp County Agricultural Extension Agent. A few years later, he accepted a position with First Fidelity Bank in Colome, SD, serving as Senior Vice President and Loan Officer until he retired in 2009. He and Quyen bought 40 acres a few miles west of Colome for his hobby farm where he raised sheep and hogs. They eventually moved to the farm after their youngest graduated from high school.
While he enjoyed banking, there was no stopping Dave going to the barn! Early in the morning, he'd go do the barn chores, then before the bank opened, he'd shed the coveralls that protected his business suit.
Dave was known as an honest man who gave good counsel to farmers and ranchers who came to his office. Dave was dedicated to his work, community and church. Dave served on the Winner Hospital Board and was active in the American Legion, despite enduring many troubles from Parkinson's. He never wavered as a faithful servant of the Lord. An active member of the First Christian Church in Winner, he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, was an Elder on the Church Board. He often read Scripture from the lectern, and occasionally preached.
As Dave's health declined, he and Quyen moved back to Winner for a year, then returned to Gregory. Dave eventually moved to Silver Threads Assisted Living, then Avera Rosebud Country Care. Dave and Quyen moved to Texas in 2021 to be with his daughter Snow and her family. Finally, Dave was given special care at the nearby Fort Bend Healthcare Center, where he passed away peacefully in his sleep.
David J. Wonnenberg is survived by his wife Quyen; daughters, Snow (Jim) Poler and Jackie (Chad) Haremza; grandchildren Brandon (Molly) Wonnenberg, Misty (Matthew) LaMere, Jacob Wonnenberg, Ella Haremza, Anna Haremza, Isabel Wonnenberg, Chyanne Poler, Jack Haremza and great-grandchild Maddox LaMere; four brothers, Ken Wonnenberg, Charles (Diane) Wonnenberg, Steve (Joan) Wonnenberg and Roger (Jackie) Wonnenberg and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alvina Wonnenberg; father and mother-in-law, Xuyen Trinh and Diep Nguyen; sons Edward and Joseph; and sister-in-law Diane (wife of Kenneth) Wonnenberg.
Memorial services for David Wonnenberg, age 78, of Rosenberg, TX, (formerly of Gregory, SD) will be held at a later date. David passed away at the Fort Bend Healthcare Center on April 23, 2023.