David Tony Luadtke

About David

David Tony Luadtke, 90, of Solway, MN died Saturday, January 29, 2022 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

David was born August 25, 1931 in the family house in Grant Valley Township with assistance from a midwife to Helen (Swanlund) and Albert Luadtke. He was raised on the family farm in Grant Valley Township, MN. He grew up with two brothers and two sisters: Gordon, Lorraine (Whitesell), Alice (Bohlmann) and James.

He went to school in the local one room Grant Valley school. He served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1956. He bought property north of Solway, Minnesota and cleared the trees and built a house with friends and neighbors.

On this piece of property, a tiny remembrance of the old Solway to Pinewood trail is still being used as the back driveway that runs in front of the house. This road was relocated to the back of the house and is now the main road from Solway to Pinewood.

He loved nature, animals, and riding snowmobiles along with woodworking crafts in his shop. He also excelled at repairing items that many people would consider useless.

He was a farmer at heart, but his main profession was an independent truck driver hauling grain from North Dakota to Duluth, MN and Superior, WI daily for about 30 years. This entailed getting up at three in the morning and then driving out to North Dakota to pick up a load and then drive back across the state to deliver and then come back home to his family around seven or so each night. Many nights for relaxation, he could be found on one of his tractors for a couple extra hours of disking, plowing, or baling hay.

David was involved with many social clubs throughout his life in the Bemidji area, one of his favorites was collecting Jim Beam bottles, many of which were always on display in the barroom at his house. He was also the president of the Paul Bunyan Jim Beam club for many years.

In the Solway area, he brought Smelt back from Duluth for the annual Solway Smelt fry that was held each spring for many years. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Wilton.

He met his future wife Margie (Kurosky) on a trip to Duluth, they married and settled in Solway. Here they had three children, Raymond, Adam, and Cheryl. David will be remembered as an honest, humble, hard-working, and very likable person. Those that knew him best, knew that he rarely asked for assistance when working on projects but would give a hand to others in a moment’s notice. His smile, laugh, and that serious look with a head tilt and shake in times of amazement, will be missed by many! Rest in Peace!

He is survived by his; children, Raymond (Stef O’Brien) Luadtke,

Adam (Julie) Luadtke,

and Cheryl (Kevin Campbell) Luadtke;

grandchildren, Cody, Cameron, Caleb, Natalie, Lane, and Luke.

Siblings Gordon, Lorraine (Late husband Don) Whitesell, Alice (Frank) Bohlmann and James (Betsy)

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his wife Margie Lou.

memorial service

Visitation for David

February 4, 2022

Cease Family Funeral Home 2807 Irvine Ave NW, Bemidji, MN 56601, USA

The visitation from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. will include a small prayer service at 4 p.m. by Father Jerry Rogers. Interment will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church Cemetery in the spring with military honors by the American Legion.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home