David J Davidson

David was born on March 2, 1931, on a farm near Utica, Minn., to David and Clara (Gilbertson) Davidson.He grew up in Winona and Rochester, Minn. After graduating from Rochester High School in 1949, he continued his education at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. David majored in History and Education and graduated from St. Olaf in 1953. In November 1953, David answered his call to duty and served in the U.S. Army for two years in Korea and Japan. After his service, he put his college degree to work and taught History at Anoka High School (Minn.) for two years. In 1958, David began his 15-year career with the YMCA, first as a Program Director in Minneapolis, then as the Executive Director at the Superior, Wis. YMCA and the Ft. Dodge, Iowa YMCA. Davids professional career had been heavily influenced by camping and in 1973 he was named Executive Director of Ewalu Camp and Retreat Center in Strawberry Point, Iowa. In 1988, he was named Executive Director of Minnesota Council of Campfire, from which he retired in 1996.

David met Barbara Joyce Corcoran in 1951 while they were students at St. Olaf College. They were married December 17, 1955 in Minneapolis, Minn. in a large family wedding. Their 57 years of marriage were remarkable as their union served as a model of a loving marriage.

David is survived by his wife Barbara of Onalaska; son, Mark, and his wife, Jill Davidson, of Onalaska and their children, Clara, Madeline, Caleb and Ben; son, Eric, and his wife, Mary Ann Davidson, of San Diego, Cal. and their children, John and Alyssa; sister, Sylvia (Davidson) Silliman of Roseville, MN; seventeen nieces and nephews; and numerous other family members.

David was preceded in death by his parents, David and Clara; sister, Joan (Davidson) Nuszloch, and brother, James J. Davidson.

A memorial service will be held at First Lutheran Church, 410 Main St., Onalaska, at2:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 2thndth, Davids 82thndth birthday. Pastor Jason Stanton will officiate. A gathering for family and friends will be held at the church on Friday from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., and also one hour prior to the service on Saturday. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations be made to Camp Ewalu in Strawberry Point, Iowa, designated to The Davidson Memorial Fund, to honor the years of service and support of David and Barbara Davidson. The Davidson family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to the Hospice staff at Gundersen Lutheran Medical Center and the memory care staff at Eagle Crest in Onalaska and Bluffview in Holmen for their compassionate care of David.