Cover photo for David "Shorty" Affolter's Obituary
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David "Shorty" Affolter

November 5, 1945 — May 6, 2025

David "Shorty" Affolter

David Michael Affolter, age, 79, best known as “Shorty” went home to be with his gracious Lord and beloved daughter Amy on Tuesday, May 6, 2025, with his devoted wife, Trudy and family at his bedside at his home in Farmington, MN. He was formerly of Jordan, MN.

A gathering will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, starting at 4 and ending with prayers at 7 pm, at Ballard-Sunder Funeral & Cremation, 4565 Pleasant Street SE, Prior Lake. A celebration of life will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at 11:30, with no gathering time prior at LivingWaters Church, 22222 Dodd Blvd, Lakeville, MN. Pastor Scott Peterson and Paul Larson will preside. Memorials are preferred and will be distributed in Shorty’s honor by the family.

David Michael Affolter and twin sister Diane were born on November 05,1945 at St. Joseph Hospital in St. Paul, Minnesota.

David was raised as a “farm kid” in a rural area near Lydia southwest of the Twin Cities. His memory of childhood years was mainly about doing chores and working hard on the small farm his dad owned. By age six, he was milking the cows which became his responsibility till age eleven – his hands becoming “hard as rocks”. Ruth and Evelyn, Sunday school teachers from the small Methodist church in Lydia had a profound impact on young David. The special attention and excitement for him they expressed felt like “being loved like their son”. The alchemy of these deeply formative experiences taught lessons of “despair or go deeper” and the “joy in generosity” that would guide him the rest of his life. By the time David reached adolescence, the nickname “Shorty” had become his permanent and endearing name.

By age 15, Shorty was pretty much on his own. Working at the Tremont Hotel in Hopkins (living in a one room apartment), going to school, and helping his dad on the farm. Keeping his junker car with a cracked block going - just enough to make the 60-mile round trip each day - started a long relationship with automobiles.

At age 18, Shorty asked a pretty girl named Trudy out on a date. Their love for each other blossomed and on July 02, 1966, they married. Together along with their son David (Woody) and daughter Amy they enjoyed many happy and love-filled years as a family deeply committed to each other. The tragic loss of his beloved Amy in 2012 was certainly Shorty’s greatest challenge. Shorty and Trudy lived for many years on their beautiful, wooded property in Lakeville they lovingly named “Songbird Acres”.

Life experiences developed a sense of self-assurance and confidence which helped Shorty become very talented at auto sales, this eventually earned him the position of General Sales Manager at Austin Ford. It was Shorty’s intuitive knowledge of “how to do it right” that led him to branch out on his own and start “Shorty’s Auto Sales”. His basic charm, honesty, integrity, and caring compassion brought Shorty a regional reputation in the business community at large. Never forgetting those early experiences from Sunday school, Shorty also became a beloved member at Friendship Church in Prior Lake and Livingwaters Church in Lakeville. Serving as an Elder, singing in the choir and spreading his contagious joy and heartfelt generosity to so many he touched with love and helpfulness. Shorty was a humble man with a strong faith and deep love for God.

When a cancer diagnosis threatened him with a first-round knockout, Shorty stepped into the ring with his characteristic tenacity and courage. It would go the full twelve rounds, with Shorty never losing sight of “being himself” and that wonderful sense of humor. On the evening of May 06, 2025, Shorty slipped away to join sweet Amy in glory. With Amy – by now – on a first-name basis with Angels and Saints that “must really be something!” as Shorty was fond of saying.

Shorty loved “mulligan” golf, salt in a cold Miller Lite, the wonder of nature and the gift of music. Shorty’s favorite pastime though was his signature way of engaging every person he met to enthusiastically give them a good dose of “Shorty” - which he knew would do them some good. And it did – so much good.

Left to honor and celebrate Shorty’s life is his loving and devoted wife of 58 years, Trudy; dear son, David "Woody" (Tammy) Affolter; precious granddaughter, Haley Affolter; unforgettable grandson, Brandon Bjorklund; caring siblings, twin sister - Diane (Mike) Olson, Stanley Affolter, Kevin, Kevin (Sherry) Affolter, Susan (Alex) Hamre, Conley Mediger; other loving relatives and devoted friends

Shorty was greeted in Heaven by his loving daughter Amy Affolter; parents, Howard and Helen Affolter; sister, Mary (Jim) McQuiston; brother-in-law, Mike Olson and sister-in-law, Laura Mediger.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of David "Shorty" Affolter, please visit our flower store.

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