David Leba
Posted By Ballard Sunder Funeral Home On August 19, 2023 @ 7:41 pm In 2023,Obituaries | 2 Comments
David P. Leba, age 76 of Fergus Falls, MN, formerly of Minneapolis, MN passed away on August 17, 2023. Visitation Monday, August 28, 2023 from 4-7 PM at Ballard-Sunder Funeral Home, 4565 Pleasant St SE, Prior Lake. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, August 29, 2023 at 10 AM at St. Michael Catholic Church, 16400 Duluth Ave SE, Prior Lake, with visitation one hour prior. Father Tom Walker will preside. David will be laid to rest with full military honors at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.
Live Streaming available at St. Michael Catholic Church’s website https://stmichael-pl.org and by clicking on the “Mass and Services” tab.
David was the 2nd child born to parents Peter and Delores in Minneapolis on January 27, 1947. He grew up and attended school in the Minneapolis area with his siblings, Delores, Pat and Jim. Dave graduated from West High School in 1965. Shortly after graduating, he was drafted into the United States Army. After completing his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, he was deployed to Vietnam where he served his country honorably, earning 2 Purple Hearts, an Army Commendation Medal, a Bronze Star, and a Combat Infantry Star.
After leaving the service, Dave returned to the Minneapolis area, and began working at the Elmwood Branch of the US Post Office in St. Louis Park, MN. It was at the Post Office that Dave became acquainted with his coworker Vicki Grossman. The two became fast friends, and started dating. After a couple years of courtship, Dave and Vicki were united in marriage on June 7, 1971 in Waikiki, Hawaii. The pair settled down in St. Louis Park where they were blessed with the births of their children, Lisa and Bob. Shortly after becoming a father, Dave traded in his SS 396 Chevelle for a much more family-friendly Ford Pinto!
Dave’s family has many dear memories of trips to Lake Latoka in Alexandria, MN, waterskiing, and yearly summer trips to Lake Carlos Shady Lane Resort- a tradition that lasted over 27 years! In addition to time spent at the lake, Dave loved camping with his family- many miles were put on the “Minnie Winnie” with excursions to Canada, Florida, and many State Parks. He also loved to hunt in the Morris and Chokio, MN area, always with at least one of his hunting dogs in tow.
After 40 years in Golden Valley, Dave and Vicki began the next chapter of their adventure, purchasing a lake home in Fergus Falls, MN in 2002, and moved up there full time in May of 2017. As the kids got older, Dave was overjoyed to become a grandpa to Erik, Megan, Cayden and Drew. He was so proud of them, and enjoyed spending time with them at the Lake.
When he wasn’t spending time with family, Dave could be found listening to country music, watching The Price is Right (always followed by Wheel of Fortune!) or meticulously caring for his yard. Dave’s love, kindness, and generosity will forever be missed by his wife of 52 years, Vicki; children, Lisa (Chad) Rasmussen and Bob (Anne); grandchildren, Erik and Megan Rasmussen, Cayden and Drew Leba; siblings, Delores, Pat and Jim (Julie); sister-in-law, Linda Hill; brother-in-law, Dan (Debbie) Grossman; 7 nieces and nephews; 9 great-nieces and nephews; other relatives and many dear friends.
He is greeted in heaven by his parents, Peter and Delores; parents-in-law, Prim and Colleen Grossman; and brother-in-law, Richard Grossman.
Dave’s family would like to extend a special thank you to all of their friends and family who have been so supportive during this difficult time; and to Lake Region Healthcare of Fergus Falls for their compassionate care of Dave.
Memorials in Dave’s name are preferred to:
The Wounded Warrior Project
The Autism Society of MN
The Animal Humane Society of Fergus Falls, MN
https://www.humanesocietyotc.org/donate
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Vicki, Lisa , & Bob. We send our prayers and love to your whole family for the loss of Dave. We hope that all the great memories from a life full of smiles will comfort you. Our nation and I salute Dave for his extraordinary heroism and sacrifice for his fellow comrades. God bless all of you. Wayne and Kathy
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Dear Lisa and the WHOLE family. My best friend and spouse, Richard and I so appreciate this information that you shared. Beautiful… simply beautiful. I have tears right now and will continue to send lots of love and peace. As you wrote, David is now in a heavenly place with this and our families there.
Lots of love