Galvin David Wiedeman

Dave was born in Redfield and raised in nearby Ashton, South Dakota. After growing up in South Dakota, he moved to St. Paul, Minnesota, in 1963, where he lived until 1967. In St. Paul, Dave and Sally's love story began its next chapter. They had dated in high school, and when Dave moved to St. Paul, he reconnected with Sally, who was living there. That reunion led to a marriage that lasted 62 years. In 1967, Dave and Sally moved to Colorado, first settling in Golden before buying a home in Lakewood, where they built their life and raised their family for the next 53 years.

Dave proudly served in the Redfield, South Dakota, Army National Guard from 1961 to 1964. He then worked as an optician, first at Benson Optical and then, for most of his career, at Pasch Optical. After retiring, he found a second career he truly enjoyed as an usher for the Colorado Rockies, a position he held for 18 years. Sports were a lifelong passion. He enjoyed playing sports when he was younger and continued to follow them throughout his life. He enjoyed watching just about any sport, but his favorite teams held a special place in his heart. He especially loved the Colorado Rockies and Denver Broncos. His love of sports extended into his role as a father. Growing up, his children played just about every sport imaginable, with Dave often right there as their coach. He coached Little League baseball, girls' softball, and both girls' and boys' basketball. Whether he coached from the sidelines or cheered from the stands, sports gave Dave countless opportunities to spend time with his children and be part of their lives.

Dave loved being active with his family. He loved to ski, and family ski trips became a tradition as his children grew up. The family also took frequent road trips, often “home” to Redfield or west to California. When Dave won a free trip to Hawaii while his children were in high school, the whole family enjoyed an unforgettable adventure together. After retirement, Dave and Sally continued to travel, making frequent trips to Arizona to visit friends, returning to Hawaii several times, traveling “home”, and visiting family in Florida, Texas, and California—including Dave’s sister in Florida, Sally’s brother in Texas, and their daughter and her family in Alameda, California- until the family eventually moved back to Colorado.

Dave was a kidder with a great sense of humor, always ready with a joke or playful tease, especially with his grandchildren. His teasing was one way he showed his love and kept his family laughing.

Dave enjoyed life's simple pleasures—test driving and reading about cars, grilling for his family, making homemade ice cream, and playing Hand and Foot. He also enjoyed hunting elk and pheasants with his best friend Ken Whitmer and his brother, Doug Wiedeman.

Above all, Dave loved being with his family. He shared 62 years of marriage with his beloved wife, Sally (Bittner) Wiedeman, and together they raised their two children, Debra Wilcox and Daniel Wiedeman. He was a proud grandfather to five grandchildren: Armando Allen, Michael Roe, Audra Wilcox, Alexa Wilcox, and Duncan Wiedeman.

Dave is also survived by his younger sister, Diana Nielsen; her husband, Gary Nielsen; his younger brother, Doug Wiedeman; and his wife, D Wiedeman. He was preceded in death by his parents, Evelyn Marie (Sheetz) Wiedeman and Earl Galvin Wiedeman of Redfield, SD.

Dave will be remembered for his humor, enthusiasm for sports and cars, love of skiing, homemade ice cream, and, most of all, the many adventures and memories he created with his family. His presence, teasing, laughter, and love will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.