David Allen Liestman

1937 - 2015

DAVID ALLEN LIESTMAN 78, passed away peacefully with on September 30, 2015 his wife of 43 years at his side. The youngest of nine children born to Ben and Hattie Liestman, Dave was born on February 25, 1937 in Paynesville, MN. He lived his early years in Paynesville, moving to Eureka, CA in his early teens. Always a hard worker, Dave often held down two jobs... at a lumber mill, service station, and as a letter carrier for the USPS in Eureka. He married Bonita Bratten and they have two children, Patty and David. In 1972, Dave and Bonnie (Gates) were married and they soon adopted their young son, Christopher. In 1978, the family moved to Minnesota to be closer to Dave's large family. During their years in Cold Spring MN, Dave and Bonnie welcomed seventeen foster children into their home. After retirement, the lure of the west brought the family to Eureka, MT, and shortly afterward, Dave began working at JB's and Steins grocery stores, always keeping busy. Dave was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Hattie, siblings, Arnie, Evangeline, Virginia, Bernie and Lila. He is survived by his wife, Bonnie, two sisters, Donna Warner and Joan Wicklund, his brother Art Liestman and Art's wife Pat; his three children, David and Patty, both of Windsor, CA and son, Christopher; grandchildren, Lindsey Liestman, Jason Culver, Jennifer Johnson, and Max and Allison Feland, two great grandchildren, Calvin and Jamison Culver; his sister in law and brother in law, John and Marjie McSwain of Huntsville, Al., fifty nieces and nephews and is the great uncle to over one hundred young people. A graveside service will be held for Dave at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 7, 2015 at the Ebenezer Cemetery in rural Paynesville, Minnesota. Local arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Eureka, MT. Online condolences and memories may be made to www.schnackenbergfh.com. and www.times-standard.com.