David (Dave) Dowden
There is a rumor that a housing complex is going up in Heaven and that skilled construction workers are in high demand. Because of this, David (Dave) Dowden, age 61 of Adams, WI, was called to Heaven earlier than his family would have wished on November 26, 2019.
Dave was born May 31, 1958 to David and Dorathy Dowden, the second of six children. By the age of five, he could sorta drive a tractor, and only ran over his father once (don’t worry, he lived). Or, at least, that is the story that he told us and we are sticking to it. In his school age years, he showed a cow at the fair for 4-H, but didn’t do so well, due to bovine politics. He missed his “calling” however, as he should have gone into pig call competitions, he would have won hands down. After a short basketball career bench warming, he began wrestling and found his athletic calling. He won many matches and awards throughout high school and college. In his senior year of high school, he played Dracula in the school play, was voted Prom King, and was class valedictorian.
Dave attended college at UW-Stevens Point, where he wrestled and majored in Physical Education with a minor in Mathematics. After graduating college he worked as a manager at the restaurant, Marcus Big Boy, where he met Nancy. It took some convincing to get her to notice him, and he even had to hit her with loaves of bread to get her to date him. His unconventional approach worked and they married in May 1984 and he never had to cook again.
During his mid-life crisis, he joined the Sand County Players for a summer and had the leading role as a Bill Clinton-like character in the play Out of Order. He lovingly referred to his script as “It.”
Dave was a skilled carpenter and construction worker and dedicated his life to it. He loved his work, as evidenced by his putzing in his tool shed even on his days off. Many of his coworkers became good friends, but a few remained “clumsy asses.” According to him, construction and tractors were his life, but we all knew better; his faith and his family came first.
He loved running, reading books, junk food, Cryptograms, beer, telling tall tales (to this day, we don’t know if any of them are true), and Westerns. Instead of giving the shirt off his back, whenever his daughters’ friends (or anyone) would come over, he was always ready to offer them fried chicken, a dessert of their choice, or a multivitamin.
Dave was a protector and became a fighter when he was diagnosed with cancer. He never stopped fighting the battle. In tribute to his love of Westerns, we want to note that he did not lose his battle to cancer, it died when he did. Therefore, it was a draw.
He was preceded in death by his father, David L. Dowden, his maternal and paternal grandparents, and his dear friend, John Lichtenberg.
Left to carry on his legacy and tall tales are his beloved wife and friend of 35 years, Nancy; his daughters, Ashley (Joseph) Noelke of Rochester, Amanda (Aaron) Johnson of DeForest; his four grandchildren, Vincent and Charles Noelke, Alexia and Aiden Johnson; his mother, Dorathy Dowden of Albany; his siblings, Denise (Randy) Riese of Monroe, D. Lynn (Ron Krupke) Novak of Albany, Dorathy (Griff) Williams, of Wausau, Dan (Kathy) Dowden of Walworth, Don (Svetlana) Dowden of Spring; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Charles and Elma Nichols of Friendship, his sisters-in-law, Pat (Les) Landon of Friendship, Peggy (Scott) Willis of Friendship, Norma (Rick) Abbott of Stevens Point; and many nephews, nieces, cousins, other relatives, coworkers, and friends.
Per Dave’s wishes, there will be no funeral. However, a celebration of his life will be held in the spring for his family and close friends.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PANCAN) or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Because of his and our faith in Jesus Christ, we know that this is not goodbye, but see you later.
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I in my Savior am happy and blessed
Watching and waiting, looking above
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love
Lyrics from Dave’s favorite hymn, Blessed Assurance
You were one of my favorite customers at kik trip when I was there. Sending my condolences to your loved ones.
I am so very sorry. I spent many days on the Dowden farm growing up as a good friend of Denise. Gone way too young. But what a legacy he left of a life well lived and much loved. God bless you all as you navigate life without him.
Nancy
I am sadden to hear of Daves passing we worked together in construction in the 80’s, we had some great times / memories
Richard Hamus
Nancy and Family,
I am so sorry to hear of Dave’s passing. He always had a smile when I would see him and a moment to chat. I am sure that your memories will help during this difficult time and the sense of humor Dave shared with you.
I was saddened to hear of Dave’s death. I have great memories of his smile and good nature. He will certainly be missed. For now. I know I’ll see him again with our Lord.
Nancy & family, I am very sorry for your loss, it is a very sad day to read of the passing of Mr Dave Dowden, I am not suprised that he graduated top of his class and voted prom king, the guy could do anything,even his obituary is perfect.yes his faith and family came first ok, That sure was evident in the life he lived & how he conducted himself, he was a great example which I appreciated very much. Yes, I believe Dave is now with Jesus, pain free and Praising God!
So very sorry for your loss.
To the Dowden family,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss. I commend you and your ability to celebrate Dave’s life by writing his obituary in the way that you did. You brought a smile to my face and my heart. That lines up perfectly with my childhood memories of perhaps my favorite family growing up. Despite our sorrow, our faith in our God and our Saviour allows us to have peace regardless of our circumstances. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Love always,
Jay Kennedy
I am proud to have had Dave as my friend, we did do many building projects together and the world is a better place because of this. I will miss your friendship and your wit, Ron
So sorry to hear of your loss of Dave. May the Lord keep you in his arms until you meet Dave again.
So sorry for your loss
So sorry for your loss Nancy & Family. Sincere condolences to all during this difficult time.
My thoughts and sympathy are with you, Nancy and family.
Dave was a good friend and will be missed by many. I will always remember our sports talks.
So sorry to hear. Your family is in our prayers.
Adams lost another toooo young loving family man. So sorry Nancy.
Sincere condolences to you and family. So sad being so young, though I’m thinking from the obituary Dave lead a full happy life here on earth and will have eternal life in heaven.
Katy (Reichoff) Bushmaker
Nancy and family, While I know this is a very sad time, know that Dave made a big impact on people. You can tell that by his obituary. It’s not always about the short life we had, but about what we did with that short life. Dave did alot! I know your faith will keep you and your family strong. My sympathy to you all.
I am so sorry for your family’s loss. I did not have the pleasure of meet him but he sounded like a wonderful man with a great sense of humor. The LORD holds the broken hearted close
Nancy and Family. So sorry for your loss. We will miss seeing Dave puttering around in your yard and and waving hello to us. It was nice when he would come over for a short visit. Prayers and hugs.
We were so sorry to hear about Dave’s passing. He was always so friendly and kind and very generous. Not many carpenters would loan someone their tools to use.
We are so sorry to hear this sad news; our deepest sympathy to Nancy and family.
Nancy and family, my sincere condolences. May you find comfort in the knowledge he is in the Lord’s hands now.
Nancy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. You and your family are in my heart and prayers.
I am very sorry for the loss of dave ! My heart goes out to his family! I worked with dave for some years a terrace homes! He was a good man and a fun to shoot the bull with ! I will miss bumping into him at cenex every so often ! He was a great person in my eyes! You will be missed by me for sure!
I am so sorry for your loss Nancy. Condolences to you and your family.