David Wonnenberg

A memorial service for David Wonnenberg was held on Saturday, July 1, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. at the Congregational Church in Gregory, SD, with Pastor John Granchie, officiating. Music was provided by Renee Holzer and Jeanie Kotrba pianists. Kenneth, Charles, Steve, and Roger Wonnenberg sang “Victory In Jesus” Eulogies were given by Kenneth Wonnenberg and Jim Lipp. Jim and Chandra Day were in charge of registration. Inurnment was in the IOOF Cemetery in Gregory, SD, with military honors conferred by the Colome and Gregory Legion and the National Honors Team David John Wonnenberg was born May 31, 1944, the first of the five sons of William and Alvina (nee Lindwurm) Wonnenberg in Burke, SD.

As a high school senior, Dave showed his toughness as a Gregory Gorilla. He not only played offensive but defensive tackle in football. He let it be known, his 1961 team was the only 11-man Gorilla team that never lost a game. Dave was given the State Farmer of the Year Award by the Future Farmers of America organization. He was also recognized for his superior tenor voice at All-State Chorus.

While at South Dakota State University, the National Livestock and Meat Board presented Dave high awards at intercollegiate beef grading and meat judging events, notably in Dallas, Texas, and Kansas City, Missouri.

Dave graduated with a BS degree in animal science from SDSU in 1966. He was then commissioned as an officer in the Army. He attended Quartermaster School, graduating top of his class. Due to his leadership ability, he was assigned as company commander of a basic training infantry unit at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. This was rare, as such a position was only given to at least a captain’s rank. In Dave’s case, as a second lieutenant with only one ten-week cycle of training, an “unheard of” exception was made.

Dave had great responsibility as a company commander, with conscientious concern that his troops be ready for combat. He requested deployment to Vietnam but was told he was needed more on the home front. Under his command, his unit achieved several awards. He completed his Army service in 1969 with the rank of First Lieutenant.

Out of the service and back in South Dakota, Dave tended his cattle and helped his dad, and together specialized in breeding Black Angus cattle and selling bulls.

Dave became active in the Union Congregational Church in Gregory, teaching children’s Sunday School, serving on the board and as treasurer, and rarely missed midweek choir practice.

One evening, at a dance in Dallas, Dave met Quyen Nguyen, who had fled from South Vietnam. They were wed October 25, 1975, in Gregory at Union Congregational Church. The couple would be married 47-1/2 years.

Dave and Quyen moved their family from Gregory to Winner, SD when he became a Tripp County agricultural extension agent. A few years later, he accepted a position with First Fidelity Bank in Colome, SD, serving as senior vice president and loan officer until he retired in 2009. He and Quyen bought 40 acres a few miles west of Colome for his hobby farm where he raised sheep and hogs. They eventually moved to the farm after their youngest graduated from high school.

Dave was known as an honest man who gave good counsel to farmers and ranchers who came to his office. Dave was dedicated to his work, community, and church. Dave served on the Winner Hospital Board and was active in the American Legion, despite enduring many troubles from Parkinson’s. An active member of the First Christian Church in Winner, he taught Sunday School, sang in the choir, and was an Elder on the Church Board. He often read Scripture from the lectern, and occasionally preached.

As Dave’s health declined, he and Quyen moved back to Winner for a year, then returned to Gregory. Dave eventually moved to Silver Threads Assisted Living, then Avera Rosebud Country Care Center. Dave and Quyen moved to Texas in 2021 to be with his daughter Snow and her family. Finally, Dave was given special care at the nearby Fort Bend Healthcare Center in Rosenberg, TX, where he passed away peacefully in his sleep on April 23, 2023, after a long bout with Parkinson’s Disease.

David J. Wonnenberg is survived by his wife Quyen; daughters Snow (Jim) Poler and Jackie (Chad) Haremza; grandchildren Brandon (Molly) Wonnenberg, Misty (Matthew) LaMere, Jacob Wonnenberg, Ella Haremza, Anna Haremza, Isabel Wonnenberg, Chyanne Poler, and Jack Haremza; great-grandchild Maddox LaMere; four brothers: Kenneth Wonnenberg, Charles (Diane) Wonnenberg, Steve (Joan) Wonnenberg and Roger (Jackie) Wonnenberg; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Alvina Wonnenberg; father and mother-in-law, Xuyen Trinh and Diep Nguyen; sons Edward and Joseph; and sister-in-law Diane (wife of Kenneth) Wonnenberg.