David Erling Beaver

David Erling Beaver, 87, of Rochester, MN passed away peacefully on Saturday, September 11, 2021 at the Mayo Clinic St. Marys campus. Dave was born April 28, 1934 in Hayfield, MN to Alfred and Hilda (Haukom) Beaver. Dave attended a one room school house through the 8th grade and went on to graduate from Hayfield High School. He worked on his multi-generational family farm before going to business school in Mankato, MN. He then went to work as a mechanical engineer at IBM, where he stayed until retirement. Dave married Patricia Jensen Alcott and they had four children together before their divorce. While members of Bethel Lutheran Church in Rochester, Dave met Sandra (Puhl) Franzen, whom he married on June 9, 1979. Upon retirement, Dave and Sandy moved to Birchwood, WI, and opened and ran the Victorian Antiquery in Rice Lake, WI. They became active members of Trinity Lutheran Church in Birchwood for which Dave helped build a significant addition. After selling the Victorian Antiquery in 2004, Dave and Sandy became snowbirds when they bought a home in Punta Gorda, FL. In 2015 they sold their lake home, moved back to Rochester, and rejoined Bethel Lutheran Church. Dave had a passion for woodworking, a skill he learned in high school. He applied this skill to refinishing antique furniture, a highlight of their antique store. He was an amazing handyman who enjoyed camping, boating, gardening, playing cards, boy scout leadership, and spending time with his family and friends. His great sense of humor and thoughtful, giving heart will be deeply missed. Dave is survived by Sandy, his wife of 42 years; children, Timothy John (Marianne) Beaver, Amy Elizabeth Martin (Edwin Henneken), Christopher Patrick Alcott, Deborah Lynn Franzen (Nathan Keating), and Teresa Kay Franzen; three grandchildren, Aynsley (Pauline) Jones, Ian (Katie) Jones, and Tae Alcott; four great-grandchildren, Alana Jones, Audrey Jones, Austin Jones, and Casey Jones; numerous nieces and nephews, and a host of other family and friends. Dave was preceded in death by his daughter, Laurel Beaver; brother, Robert Beaver and his parents, Alfred and Hilda Beaver. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Bethel Lutheran Church, 810 3rd Ave. SE, Rochester. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until time of the service. The Rev. Anjanette Bandel will be officiating with a 2:00 PM interment at West St. Olaf Cemetery. Due to Covid-19, masks will be required for services at Bethel Lutheran Church. Memorial contributions may be made to The American Red Cross for Hurricane Ida Relief at www.redcross.org. Ranfranz and Vine Funeral Home is honored to be serving the Beaver family. To share a special memory or condolence, please visit www.ranfranzandvinefh.com.