David C. Bieganek

life story

Husband. Father. Grandpa. Brother. Uncle. Friend. Businessman. Mayor. Fire Chief. US Army Veteran.

About David

David C. Bieganek, 82, of Kelliher, MN died on Thursday, December 2, 2021 at the Good Samaritan Center in Blackduck, MN.

David Cloud was born on July 28, 1939 to Joseph and Rose (Deering) Bieganek at St. Gabriel's Hospital in Little Falls, MN. He was the youngest of 14 children. David attended grade school in Harding, MN and graduated high school in Pierz, MN. He loved listening to polka music and attended mass regularly at the Catholic Church his father built in Harding, MN. In the Bieganek household, David became a hard worker through watching his father own Bieganek John Deere Implement and most of his older siblings own businesses; hence where David’s love of John Deere tractors came from.

From 1959-1962, David served in the US Army where he served 13 months overseas in South Korea with Company B 304th Signal Battalion 8th Army. He received the Korea Service Defense Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and a Sharp Shooter Badge.

Upon returning to the states, David worked for his brother Stanley “Butch” at their Bieganek Implement Store. In November of 1963, Dave moved to Kelliher, MN where he purchased the Kelliher Shopping Center with his brother-in-law Bill Austin, eventually purchasing the store in the late 1960’s. Kelliher is where Dave met Angeline Johnsrud (Erickson) while Ann and her three children: Jewel, Karen, and Ron, were living with special friends Sammy and Ray Faure in the area. On January 15, 1966, David and Ann got married and together they had Mark and Greg. They owned and operated the Kelliher Shopping Center (the first Scorpion snowmobile dealership in Beltrami County) for 57 years up until the hard decision to finally retire in 2020.

David served as the mayor of the city of Kelliher from 1974-1977 and 1987-1992. He also served on the Kelliher Fire Department for 35 years, serving as fire chief from 1980-1984. David was also a member of the North Beltrami Sportsman Club, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, a member of the American Legion, and member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church.

Dave was a very hardworking, smart, opinionated, and stubborn Polack. He knew his hardware parts and any mechanical issues that arose, Dave was able to find a solution and fix the issue. David also took pride in his quality cutting of meat at his meat market in The Store. He enjoyed fishing and looked forward to the annual Bieganek deer camp out at his hunting land. Dave’s “farm” was his heaven on earth. You would often find him riding and mowing trails in his John Deere 2020 tractor, chopping wood for the stove, and watching the deer on the west end of the farm. He always had a “cold one” on standby and garlic was never short supplied. You could always also count on David if you ever needed a good firm handshake or a good ol’ bear hug to feel loved, while at the same time questioning who you were as he always asked “what’s your name again?”

David passed away peacefully on the afternoon of December 2, 2021. He has joined his wife Ann, his unborn grandson Dalton Joseph, his parents Joseph and Rose, his siblings: Sister Justina, Marian, John, Anthony “Tony”, Helen, Theresa, Stanley “Butch”, Elphege “Al”, Leo, Theodore “Ted”, Thomas “Tom”, and many brother and sister-in-laws in heaven for one helluva good time. David is survived by his children: Jewel (Richard Eggen), Karen (Bill Thayer), Ron, Mark (Tiffanie), and Greg, his grandchildren: Brian (Tonya), Chad (Beth), Brent (Jillian), Kristen (Andres), Brad (Katrina), Eric (Brandi), Carrie (Jonah), Heather (Max), Joe (Marie), Christina (Travis), Brittanie, Cory (Breanna), and Abigayle, his great grandchildren: Brayden, Ella Mae, Esten, Leo, Deron, Jaxson, Odin, Gracie, Laura, and Connor; sisters Dolores Preimesberger and Rita Kainz, sisters-in-law Marge Bieganek, Clara Bieganek, and Darlene Erickson, and many nieces and nephews.

Until we meet again…]

memorial service

Mass of Christian Burial for David

December 9, 2021

St Patrick's Catholic Church 131 5th St NE, Kelliher, MN 56650, USA

The Rev. Joseph John Kennady and Rev. John Christianson will be co-celebrating. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Kelliher, MN with Military Honors by American Legion Post #470 of Kelliher.

Funeral/Cremation Provider: Cease Family Funeral Home