David J. Berends, 67

David J. Berends, age 67, of New Richmond, Wis., died Monday, Jan. 7, at the VA Medical Center in Minneapolis, Minn., surrounded by his family.

Dave was born April 18, 1945, in River Falls, Wis., to Lloyd and Jane (Hawkins) Berends. He graduated from the Glenwood City High School in 1963 and later served with the U.S. Air Force from March of 1964 until March of 1968, serving at Wurtsmith Air Force Base in Michigan servicing the planes. Dave married Judith Sager June 26, 1965, in New Richmond. Dave spent most of life as a truck driver for several companies, lastly driving for Walmart from 1994 until 2003 when his health did not allow him to continue driving and he retired. Dave also worked for Laventure Crane in the mid- to late 1980s.

He was also an avid race fan, from the local tracks to Nascar, and loved working on cars in the pits.

Dave was preceded in death by his mother, Jane, in 1972; son Joseph in 2002; stepmother, Norma, in 2012; brother Bill in 2001; and his loyal dog, Rex, in 2011.

Dave is survived by wife Judy Berends of New Richmond; six children, Michelle (Al) Kallenbach of Hudson, Wis., Mary (Dean) Anderson of Glenwood City, Wis., Debbie (Barry) Kunze of Star Prairie, Wis., Andy Berends (Stephanie Pederson) of New Richmond; Katie Berends (Aaron McNamara) of River Falls, and Joshua Berends of New Richmond; nine grandchildren, Morgan, Mikayla, and Molly Kallenbach, Kellie and Jessica Anderson, Kristen Kunze (Josh Sislo) and Matt Kunze, Tina Thompson, and Keira Berends; his father, Lloyd Berends of River Falls; brothers and sisters Thomas (Nancy) Berends of Downing, Wis., John (Kathy) Berends of New Richmond, Elizabeth Hudson of New Richmond, Kathy Hansen of New Richmond, Ann (Byron) Bruggeman of River Falls, Peter (Cathy) Berends of Parker, Colo., and Robert (Maureen) Berends of New Richmond. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 12, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in New Richmond with Father James Brinkman as celebrant and burial in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held from 4-8 p.m. Friday, Jan. 11, at Bakken Young Funeral Home in New Richmond, and 1 hour prior to services on Saturday at the church.

Anderson Funeral Home in Glenwood City is handling arrangements.

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