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Dave Velishek

Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On May 3, 2019 @ 6:05 pm In 2019,Obituaries | 18 Comments

David Velishek

Dave Velishek, of Prior Lake, passed away May 2, 2019 at the age of 75. A visitation will be held on Monday, May 6, 2019 from 3:00 – 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial is Tuesday, May 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM with visitation from 9:30 – 10:45 AM. All services will be held at St. Michael Catholic Church in Prior Lake. Father Tom Walker will preside, and Dave’s grandchildren will act as pallbearers. Dave will be laid to rest at Credit River Cemetery with military honors provided by the Prior Lake Honor Guard.

On May 25, 1943, David Edward Velishek was born to Joe & Theresa (Hauer) Velishek. Dave was the fifth of 14 children, and he loved growing up on the family farm in Kilkenny with his siblings, LaVina, Mary Ann, Janet, Joe, Margie, Roger, Frank, Jerry, Wayne, Randy, Cindy, Susan & Alan. As a boy, Dave developed a love for animals, farming and fishing. He raised hogs through FFA and would later pass his passion for farming onto his own family.

As a teenager, Dave enlisted in the armed forces. He served in the United States Army. He was involved in the Bay of Pigs. Dave was honorably discharged in 1969. While in the Army Dave fell in love with Mary Kay Mullenmeister. They met at a local dance hall where they shared a polka. Dave & Mary Kay exchanged wedding vows on June 6, 1964 at Immaculate Conception.

Sadly, both of Dave’s parents died at a young age leaving behind small children. Dave & Mary Kay opened their home up to Dave’s siblings. They only had a small two-bedroom home, and it was very tight quarters, but there was always lots of love in their home. Dave saw life as an adventure. Nothing was ever a challenge for him, and he truly enjoyed every minute. Dave & Mary Kay adopted Dave’s sister, Cindy. Their family continued to grow as they were blessed with three children, Tim, Colleen & Kris.

In 1968, Dave & Mary Kay settled in Credit River to raise their family. Together they enjoyed family trips up North and to the National Parks. Dave taught his family the importance of caring for your land and animals. Throughout the years they had horses, cows, goats, sheep, rabbits & geese. Dave truly was a farmer at heart. He loved riding his John Deere and caring for his animals. Dave helped his grandkids start a chicken coop and grow a business raising hatchlings and later selling the hens. His granddaughter sold over 1,000 chickens with help from her grandpa.

Dave worked hard to provide a good life for his family. He began selling used cars as a part-time job in 1968. He quickly realized that he had found his calling. Dave opened Velishek Auto Sales in May of 1972. Dave’s philosophy was to be honest and treat his customers how he wanted to be treated. He worked hard to grow a trusted business, and it is still in operation today. Dave was a longtime member of Northland Independent Auto Dealers Association, and he was instrumental in putting the “Lemon Law” into effect. Dave was a wonderful advocate for his customers and colleagues in the auto industry.

In his spare time, Dave enjoyed fishing, snowmobiling, collecting model cars, hunting and shopping. He bought cars, shoes, cowboy hats and anything that was a good deal! Dave & Mary Kay enjoyed going out to the Ranchero for dinner every Friday night. They also loved good music and dancing. Dave loved to travel and took memorable trips to Cozumel, Europe & Chimbote, and he celebrated his birthday in Branson every year.

Dave also spent a lot of time volunteering in the community. He was so generous with his time and talents. He was involved in the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, St. Michael School Board, VFW, Knights of Columbus and The Lions. Dave loved helping these groups build floats for the local parades and helped lead the Easter Bunny Breakfast for the Lions each year.

As a devout Catholic, Dave served his church faithfully. He helped with buildings & grounds, was on the parish council, acted as trustee and literally built the church. He made countless trips to Chimbote and started the small business work in that community. Dave truly had a servant’s heart.

The other passion in Dave’s life was his family. He was a dedicated husband, loving father and wonderful grandpa. Dave loved passing on his strong values and life lessons to the next generations. His legacy will now live on through his family and friends. Dave was outgoing and loved to have fun. He was honest, full of integrity and an inspiration to all.

He will be remembered by his wife, Mary Kay; children, Cindy (Bob) Michel, Tim (Lisa) Velishek, Colleen (Michael) Lannon, Kris (Ed) Ricklick; grandchildren, Matt (Amy) Michel (Nathan, Noah, Ella), Molly (Jay) Minar, Alex (Becca) Michel (Carlea, Caden), Andy (Maggie) Michel (Brynn), Christian, Lydia and Annie Velishek, Jake (Linnea) Lannon (William), Charlie and Lucy Lannon, Marci, David, Mary and Daniel Ricklick; siblings, LaVina Hasher, Joe (Shelley), Roger (Randee), Frank (Sharon), Jerry (Emily), Wayne (Tracy), and Randy (Wanda) Velishek, Susan Amadick & Alan (Roxie) Velishek; brothers-in-law Lowell Johnson and Tom Kelly. Dave was greeted in Heaven by his parents, Joe & Theresa Velishek; siblings, Mary Ann Johnson, Janet Dahlen & Margie Kelly.

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Condolences for the family of “Dave Velishek”

Condolence from Roman and Jan Hertaus on May 3rd, 2019 9:12 pm

Our Prayers and thoughts are with the whole Velishek family. Dave was a great guy. Prior Lake community will miss him dearly. May God give you peace and comfort in the days ahead. RIP Dave.

Condolence from Dennis & Stephanie Schroeder on May 4th, 2019 8:10 am

Sorry to here about the lost of your family member. We will keep your family in are thought and prayers. Dave will be miss very much by our family.

Condolence from luanne Buck on May 4th, 2019 8:17 am

we are so very sorry to hear about Dave, he was a very nice man and you all will miss him deeply, our thoughts and prayers are with you. Bob, Luanne, and Cortney Buck

Condolence from Dennis & Stephanie Schroeder on May 4th, 2019 8:18 am

Our thought and prayers go out to daves family.Dave will be missed by many many people.

Condolence from Bruce R. on May 4th, 2019 8:42 am

My heartfelt sympathies go out to the family and friends. May you find some comfort in the promise found in Revelation 21: 3-4 and 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Knowing that there is an opportunity to be reunited with loved ones.

Condolence from Marv and jo chmelik on May 4th, 2019 7:03 pm

We are sorry for your loss, Wayne & Tracy. May he be at peace with the Lord

Condolence from Theresa Irmen-Dunn on May 4th, 2019 10:30 pm

Dave was an asset to the community. He will be missed.

Condolence from Pam McCann on May 4th, 2019 11:11 pm

I’m sorry to hear about Uncle Dave. I had hoped to get a chance to see him when we come back over the Forth of July. Our prayers and thoughts are will all the family. I know how difficult this time can be. I know my Dad & Mom (Len & Janet Dahlen), Aunt Maryann and Aunt Margie will all be there to welcome him.

Condolence from Darlene Velzke Bess on May 5th, 2019 12:56 am

Sorry for your lost. Prayers are with the family.

Condolence from Kris Tuma on May 5th, 2019 9:02 am

I had no idea that you came from such a large family, Wayne, and I’m very sorry that you’ve all lost a big part of it. Remember how he made you smile.

Condolence from Jeanne Christensen on May 5th, 2019 9:30 am

I send my deepest sympathy for your loss, Bob and I knew both Dave and Mary Kay as kind and loving folks and enjoyed knowing them for many years. I know Bob would have expressed his sincere sadness as well, having worked with them and their business for years. Jeanne Christensen

Condolence from Loraine Schweich on May 5th, 2019 11:01 am

My thoughts and prayers go out to the multitude of family and friends of Dave.
Although his time was cut short, I believe he lived a good life, and achieved what most only dream of.
He was a great man of integrity and kindness, and I feel honored to have known him.

Condolence from Keith Schmitz on May 5th, 2019 1:43 pm

So sorry for your loss, Dave was a great guy

Condolence from Jacob Voltz on May 5th, 2019 2:38 pm

My thoughts and prayers go out for the Velishek family and friends in this time of loss. Dave and his family changed my life completely. He would go out of his way to help people in a time of need and that is tough to find. I am eternally gratefull to have had the pleasure to have known him all of these years and he will forever be missed.

Condolence from Ed Behr on May 5th, 2019 7:36 pm

My thoughts and prayers are with the Velishek family now as they part company with such a bright light. Dave and the two of his children that I know have always been to me the kind of people who made you feel better about the world just by being in their presence. Kindness and peacefulness seems to emanate from them. We will all miss him at the auction.

Condolence from Bernie and Judy Mahowald on May 6th, 2019 10:21 pm

Dave Velishek was an unusual man. Very few people are born with the ambition to help others as Dave did especially if it was for the Church. I had the pleasure of working with Dave on various projects and he was the outfront man attending to every detail that needed to be done He was just a fine man to be around and we will never forget him. Deepest sympathy to the Vel;ishek Family.

Condolence from Doug and Jan Penney on May 7th, 2019 12:56 am

Dave will be missed by St.Michael and Credit River. Prayers for the family at this sad time.

Condolence from Vick and Steve on May 8th, 2019 9:01 pm

We are so sorry to hear about Dave. He was a great man, and we will miss him sitting in the row in front of us. He will be missed by many of us. Wish we could be at his funeral to celebrate his life!

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