David Glenn Talsma, 67, passed away on December 20, 2017 at the VA Medical Center at Ft. Meade. David was a 13 year cancer survivor when the Lord called him to heaven.

David was born on February 12, 1950 in Burke, SD to Glen and Hazel (Risewick) Talsma. He was raised on the family farm 11 miles from Burke. He attended country school through 8th grade and graduated from Burke High School in 1968. After graduation, David worked road construction building I-90 by Vivian, SD. In 1970, he was drafted into the Army and did a tour in Vietnam. After receiving an honorable discharge David worked a number of different jobs before attending college at USD, Springfield and BHSU majoring in Biology.

On May 22, 1976 David married Kathy Fritza and they made Spearfish their home. There they raised their two daughters, Jennifer and Erin and have remained for 42 years. David worked for the US Forest Service during the summer on the Fire Crew and at the Cement Ridge Fire Tower doing forest fire control. In 1982, David started working for Pope & Talbot Sawmill as a lumber grader. He worked there for 23 years and throughout that career he received five different awards in the Certified Grader Competition held annually.

David enjoyed living in the Black Hills. He knew all the back roads to travel to find remote fun. For more than 30 years he enjoyed hunting, fishing and outdoors in the Black Hills and surrounding area. David greatly enjoyed motorcycling as a pastime. He and Kathy made several long trips touring parts of the United States and Canada. David was a self taught carpenter; he remodeled both family homes. David was honored to be a lifetime member of the Spearfish VFW.

David is survived by his wife, Kathy; daughter, Jennifer (Jack) Stover and grandson, Sean; daughter, Erin (Eric) Smith and grandchildren, Everett, Prudence and Owen; his brother, Don (Annette) Talsma; sisters-in-law, Patricia (Justin) Foss, Diane (Bob) Gordon, Janet (Perry) Herrboldt; brother-in-law, Dan (Carol) Fritza, and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother, Norman; and stillborn granddaughter, Evelyn Smith.

Memorial Visitation will be from 5-6:30 on Tuesday, December 26, 2017 at Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel with a prayer service starting at 6:30. Memorial services will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, December 27, 2017 at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Spearfish. Inurnment will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapels and Crematory Service of Spearfish.

Online condolences may be written at www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com