David Phillip Regnier was born on January 19, 1947, to Elroy and Mavis (Anderson) Regnier. He was called “Red†by his friends. He graduated from Holy Redeemer School in 1965. David started helping his dad install furnaces when he was 11 years old and then began helping with the gas route at 14. After graduation, he started working for Ness Electric & Repair and worked there about seven years before starting his own motor repair business and eventually added heating and cooling which he operated for 43 years before selling in 2014. In 1972, he married Gayle Wendschuh and had two boys; Scott and Brian. In 1992, he married Cheryl Blekestad and the couple were married for 23 and ½ years. David enjoyed racing and working on cars, attending car shows, going to drag races, watching NASCAR and he even went to two races in Daytona. He enjoyed snow mobile trips in his 30s before the aches and pains of aging set in. In later years, he enjoyed going to country music concerts and never missed an “All My Favorites†concert. He loved his work and took care of his customers seven days a week, no matter the time or weather. Dave had the gift of conversation. His customers felt like extended family. As Dave got nearer to retirement, he was able to spend more time with his grandchildren and going to the “lake†on holidays or during the warm weather.
He died on Thursday, August 20, 2015, at the Prairie Home Hospice House in Marshall after a year long illness from cancer.
He is survived by his wife, Cheryl, of Marshall, sons Scott (and Becky) of Marshall, Brian of Willmar, step-children Stacy Reed (friend Mark) of Madelia, Jeff Olson (and friend Ann) of Brandon, SD, Chad Olson of Brainerd, grandchildren Brett, Garett and Sam Regnier of Marshall, Brandon Olson, Kelsey Olson and Haley Reed of Mankato, Riley Reed of Madelia and Katelyn Olson of Sioux Falls, SD, mother Mavis Regnier of Marshall, sister Louann (and Steve) Nelson of Sioux Falls, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, nieces Tracy, Holly and Shelby, and great-nephew Davonte. He was preceded in death by his father Elroy, grandparents, several Aunts and Uncles. He also lost his very best friend, Floyd Bauer, to the same cancer that they fought together.
Blessed Be His Memory.
The family requests that anyone able to bring a classic car for the day, drives it to the funeral in honor Dave's memory and love of cars.
