David E. Paasch, 66, Dickinson, died Thursday, October 8, 2015 at Sanford Health, Bismarck. David’s Masonic Service and funeral service will be at 10 a.m., Tuesday, October 13, 2015 at the Medora Community Center, Medora, with Chaplain Deb Howie officiating. Inurnment will follow at the Medora Cemetery. Visitation will be on Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the Community Center.
David Elliot Paasch was born October 12, 1948 at Dickinson, the son of Ray C. and Tena (Rusth) Paasch. Dave was raised on a ranch south of Medora in Billings County. As many young people of the time, he boarded with various families over the years both in Medora where he attended elementary school and in Belfield during his high school years. In 1966 he graduated as an honor student from Belfield High School. Dave graduated from North Dakota State University in 1970 with a BS degree in Agricultural Economics.
Dave was united in marriage to Renee Wolfe on December 1, 1979 at Dickinson. Dave worked in Bismarck for the Social Security Disability Determination Agency for 10 years leaving in January 1981 to work for the North Dakota Child Support Enforcement Unit in Dickinson. In April 1982 he began working as a loan officer for the First National Bank in Belfield. After leaving the bank in July 1993, Dave began farming full time on his wife’s family farm north of Dickinson.
Dave had a deep love of the land and growing things. His favorite time of the year was spring because of the rebirth of nature. Anyone who knew Dave knew of his great love of trees. From the early 1980s until the time of his passing, Dave planted over 8000 trees on the family farm. Because of his love of trees, in 1999 Dave & Renee received the North Dakota Wildlife Landowners Trees Award. Dave and Renee also received the 1989 Western Stark Soil Conservation District Soil Achievement Farmstead Award.
He served in leadership roles as a member of the Roosevelt Memorial Masonic Lodge #129 of which he was a member for over 40 years; the El Zagel Shrine, and a past patron of Golden Rule Chapter #17 Order of the Eastern Star. Dave was also instrumental in starting the Dollars for Scholars program in Belfield.
Dave overcame many challenges in his life beginning when he a young child and was injured in a car accident that claimed the life of his mother. He became a paraplegic as a result of this accident. He met this challenge head on and never took the easy way out. Dave never saw himself as handicapped and didn’t want others to either. Dave was a mentor, hero, and inspiration to all he came in contact with. He cherished his family and the many friends that he made over his lifetime. Dave enjoyed a good story, a funny joke and a good laugh. He enjoyed learning new things and sharing his knowledge with others.
Dave is survived by his wife, Renee; brother-in-law, Terrance Wolfe; nephews, Ren (Kelly) Obrigewitch and daughter, Lily, of Bismarck, Jay (Jolene) Obrigewitch and son, Coy, of Beach, and Dey (Jennifer) Obrigewitch, and children, Birch, Coll and Kate, of Wibaux, Mont.; niece Jill Obrigewitch, of Wibaux; aunt, Ruth Hart, Palm Coast, Fla.; step-sister, Kathleen (Carter) Kleinsasser, Carrington; and step-brother, Dennis (Kathy) Porter, New Salem. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law, Karen and Gary Obrigewitch; and step-mom, Martha.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Shriner’s Hospital or to the Belfield Dollars for Scholars.