David Minder's Obituary
David Minder, born September 13, 1933, in Onida, South Dakota, was the son of Robert and Frieda Minder, who immigrated from Switzerland around 1923 and settled in South Dakota.
David grew up in a large family with five siblings: Ella, Robert, Frieda, Carl, and Bertha. He attended a rural one-room schoolhouse in Onida while working on the family farm from a young age. David graduated from high school in 1951 and continued farming with his family until 1953, when he was inducted into the U.S. Army. He entered military service at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, and also served in Oklahoma, Texas, and Arizona. While stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he met and married Dolphia Patricia “Pat” Demos, who served as a Medical Corpsman. They were later stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, where their first daughter, Dolphia Mae “Dolly” Minder, was born in 1956.
After David was discharged from the Army in 1956, the young family returned to Onida, South Dakota. He resumed farming with his family, and in 1959 their second daughter, Lora Jane Minder, was born.
David continued farming alongside his brother Carl until Carl’s unexpected passing in a farming accident in 1994. He retired from farming in 1995, and he and Pat relocated to Garland, Texas, where they lived together until her passing from leukemia in 2006. Most recently, David lived independently at The Waterford in Mesquite, Texas, for over 12 years.
David’s Christian faith was an important part of his life. He received Jesus Christ into his heart at age 10 and was baptized at 12. He enjoyed gospel music throughout his life and sang in church choirs for many years. His favorite song was Jerusalem, and his favorite scriptures were Psalms 48 and 84. He also loved reading and was an avid golfer, playing from South Dakota to Texas for as long as his health allowed.
David was the last of his siblings, following the passing of his sister Frieda earlier this year. He is survived by his daughters, Dolphia Mae “Dolly” Minder Jones and her husband Kerry Jones, and Lora Clinton and her husband Richard Clinton; his grandsons, David McCrae Minder and Mark Clinton; and his great-grandchildren, Lucas Minder and Hope Clinton.
He leaves behind a legacy spanning three generations who will remember him as a good-natured, steady, and caring presence.
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