Obituaries: David Bernard Van Guilder

David Bernard Van Guilder, 73, of Holyoke passed away Sunday, Aug. 4, 2019, at Essentia St. Mary's in Duluth.

He was born in Carlton to Harry and Colleen (Berge) Van Guilder on Nov. 25, 1945. Dave was a U.S. Navy veteran. He returned home and was employed with the The Duluth, Missabe and Iron Range Railway until his retirement in 2004. Dave had a passion for dirt track racing stock cars. He raced from 1974 through 1981 and continued to follow and attend races for many years. Dave was known as the local mechanic in the Nickerson and Holyoke communities. His garage was always opened to family and friends in times of need. Dave truly

enjoyed wrenching on his family and friends' cars to get them back on the road.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Raymond and Wesley Van Guilder, and sister Linda Erickson.

Survivors include his life partner, Donna Fisher, and her children Bill, Jackie, Jamie, Kelly and Jim; his brothers Dennis (Gayle), Tom (Ruby), Rodney, Donnie (Gail) and Chuck Van Guilder; his sisters Annamae Varnes, Lucy Van Guilder, and Tammy (Ray) Woodall; 16 grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; sister-in-law Shirley Van Guilder; brother-in-law Ted Erickson; special cousin Joe Van Guilder; best friend Brad Meister; and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

Celebration of Life: 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 11, 2019 until the Time of Remembrance at 1 p.m. at Nelson Funeral Care in Cloquet. Refreshments will be served throughout the service. Military Honors will be presented by the Cloquet Combined Honor Guard. Inurnment will be held in the Nickerson Cemetery.

To leave an online condolence, visit the guest book at http://www.nelsonfuneralcare.net.