David Henry Verlinde, age 64, of Noonan, ND passed away on Sunday, June 11th at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, MN.
David was born on September 4th, 1958, in Estevan, SK to Henry and Donna (Wissbrod) Verlinde. He attended grade school in Noonan. During his childhood, he enjoyed learning the “tricks of the trade” with his father, as well as many trips to Boundary Dam in SK, with a busload of kids in Donna’s Volkswagen bus. He also attended high school in Noonan, graduating with the NHS Class of 1976. Many memories were made during these times in his VW dune buggy, which he kept and cherished his whole life. After high school, David attended college at the North Dakota State School of Science in Wahpeton, ND, where he earned a degree for Automotive Technology. Upon graduating college, he returned home to Noonan to begin farming and continued to do so his whole life.
David married Michelle Lamontagne in 1982 and they had two children: Jennifer in 1984 and Taylor in 1988. Later in life, David married Karen James in 2008. David was a stepfather to Michael, Matthew, and Mitchell James.
David was a wonderful father and grandfather, always going over and above with thoughtful gifts and projects such as building a go kart with Taylor or building a custom wooden toybox for Freya.
David was always known to be a helping hand, often helping countless members of the community at any hour. There weren’t many tasks that he did not know how to do or figure out. He was always working as a farmer, mechanic, plumber, electrician, carpenter, etc. and was known to be the “jack of all trades.” He also spent many years serving the community as a volunteer fireman, EMT, and Blooming Valley Township Clerk/Treasurer. He enjoyed helping the Cameo Players with their annual productions and helping to keep the Noonan Gun Club in operation. In 2009, David and Karen purchased the Traveler’s Hotel in Noonan, and he was very proud of the restoration project, which he did mostly himself.
Although David mostly enjoyed working with his hands and staying busy, he enjoyed listening to music the most, and loved Rock N’ Roll. AC/DC stands out as a favorite, and one of his favorite sayings was “You can’t listen to AC/DC unless it’s turned up loud.”
He is survived by his mother, Donna Lagein; son, Taylor Verlinde (Alexis); granddaughter, Freya Willard; brother-in-law, Bruce Jacobson; nephews Cory (Bonnie) and Gavin Jacobson; and numerous cousins.
David was preceded in death by his father, Henry Verlinde; sister, Kim Jacobson; stepfather, Robert Lagein; and his daughter, Jennifer Verlinde, whom he dearly loved.