David J. Tacke, 67, of Lanesboro, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 12, 2017 at Mayo Clinic after a decades-long battle with a rare blood disease. He was surrounded at the time of his death by his beloved family.
A prayer vigil for David will be held at 8 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Lanesboro, on Friday, August 18. Funeral Mass of the Resurrection will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, August 19 at St. Patrick’s, with Father Ed McGrath officiating. A reception will follow at Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center.
David, son of Harold and Francis (Kotalik) Tacke, was born May 27, 1950, in Yankton, S. Dak. He graduated from Yankton High School in 1968. He enrolled at University of South Dakota, then joined the U.S. Air Force shortly after. He was stationed first in Turkey and later in Japan. David considered the experience of living abroad and serving his country alongside a group of humble, caring men as one of the most transformative of his life. It was during this time that he bought his first SLR camera, a Minolta SRT 101. He developed his first silver halide images in an Air Force darkroom in Misawa, Japan.
David returned to USD in 1974. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master’s degree in Business Administration. It was in graduate school that he met the love of his life, Linda Schomburg. They were married in Spencer, Iowa. on July 3, 1979. Shortly after, they moved to Minnesota, making their home in Minnetonka. David and Linda have two children, Paul and Greta.
David was a man of deep faith. He worshipped and sang in the choir at St. Therese of Deephaven for over 20 years. Where David recognized God’s grace most was in the natural world and in the night sky. As a devout Catholic, he increasingly felt called by his faith to protect God’s creation. In 2015, he convened a group of religious and environmental leaders from the Lanesboro area to discuss a local response to the Pope’s climate encyclical titled “Laudato Si’: Care for Our Common Home.”
For the past three years, he served as a volunteer water monitor with the Fillmore County Soil and Water Conservation District. In an article published in May, David wrote, “Volunteering in environmental data monitoring helps us look future generations in the eye and affirm that through good citizenship we are doing our best to leave them a beautiful planet.” He also made several trips to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation in support of water protectors.
David relished sharing his love and appreciation for the outdoors and astronomy with his family. Together with Linda, Paul, and Greta, he spent summers cycling, camping, canoeing, and traveling. He had a special affinity for the Boundary Waters Canoe Area.
A self-taught “tech geek,” David began his professional career at Control Data in 1979. He later worked in Information Technology for the Minnesota Department of Revenue.
David’s photography focused mainly on his interest in the natural world and was, for him, a form of meditation. Because of the unpredictability of his blood disease, David made the decision to retire early so he could travel and take photographs. He would hitch up his beloved Scamp, “Tenni,” and drive his truck to national parks and protected natural areas. He had a particular love for the Grand Tetons, southwestern U.S., and the northern shores of Lake Superior. His family and friends will cherish his indelible images of the Driftless region, the Boundary Waters, and the Apostle Islands ice caves. A website (www.davidtacke.com) is being developed to capture the best of David’s many photographs.
In 2009, David and Linda moved to a condominium in an old school house in Lanesboro, overlooking the region’s bluffs and valleys. In just a short amount of time, David found fellowship among the artists, actors, naturalists, and gardeners in his new hometown. He enjoyed cooking elaborate dinners for friends, having coffee with “the dudes,” taking long bike rides, serving as the liturgist at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and being a part of Lanesboro’s vibrant community.
David dealt with his blood disease and later with leukemia with characteristic grace, humility, and strength. He will be remembered for his endless curiosity, his gentle manner, his remarkable eye, his terrific cooking, and for the boundless love he bestowed upon his family, friends, the Lord, and all living things. David asked that we honor his life by extending kindness and love to one another.
David is survived by his wife of 38 years, Linda; two children, Paul of Cairo, Egypt and Greta of Minneapolis; six brothers, two sisters; and many close cousins and cousins-in-law.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Frances Tacke.
Memorials can be made in David’s honor to the Land Stewardship Project.
renee cotter says
I did not know David personally, but followed the water protectors of Standing Rock their Facebook”s page, “No Spiritual Surrender.” I was moved when reading David’s obituary. He has my eternal gratitude for helping to take care of the world’s water, My heart goes out to all of David’s family and friends for your/our loss. With love from Sarasota, Florida. RKO Cotter
DAN TACKE says
I am David’s brother and I want to thank-you for the reply it means a lot to us all. Dave came from a large family and always moved us in a good way. very proud of him. Thanks
Peg (Peterson) Ellingson says
A wonderful tribute for a wonderful guy! I want to share another example of Dave’s giving personality. Dave and I graduated from Yankton High School in 1968. At our 20fh class reunion someone accidentally? took my yearbook. I ran into Dave when he was in Yankton visiting his family a few years later. I told him my story and he quickly said, ” Peg, you can have my yearbook.” I said no, that I was sure it would be returned sometime. He insisted and sure enough that yearbook was in my mailbox. I tried o negotiate a deal with him – 5 years at my house – 5 years at his. He wouldn’t agree and wouldn’t let me give it back! I still have it and will treasure it even more as an example of Dave’s kindness and generously! It there were more people like Dave Tacke, the world would definitely be a better place! Rest in Peace Dave. You are missed.
Dillon Culbreth says
My deepest condolences on your and our loss. I can tell from the wonderful memory penned above that we shared much more than protecting the water during the initial Standing Rock actions, and that this was a man earnest in his deep faith in a Creative Power beyond man’s ability to define. I share with you something I penned following the loss of my Lynn in hopes that you can all find solace in those seeds of Love that David has planted in you.
These are sacred times.
Mitakue Oyas’in
Mni Wiconi
We think of death, so called, as an ending, when in fact it is but a change in conditions …. as we plant the seed in spring and observe the green shoot emerge to grow tall, bud and flower, and then touched by that bee, butterfly or wind as the miracle of Creation, produce seed … its job done, the plant withers and fades to the brown of the Eaarth it collapsed to and we say it has died … yet the entire Cosmos of Creation lies within that seed .. <3
.. Keep it well nurtured .. <3
Tricia Leonard says
I did not know your family member. I stand for the earth, water and the first people. I am so sorry for your loss. I thank the Lord for David’s life and his work. For his service in the military and his service to the People and earth. I thank him. Blessings. Water is life!
Katy Harries says
I did not know David but followed the water protectors of Standing Rock with hope from Durban, South Africa, where the country was struggling with a terrible drought. I heard about David from the Facebook Page of Ricky Vizzions No spiritual surrender which I follow. I enjoyed reading David’s obituary. What a good kind person he seems to have been. I’m glad and hopeful to have read about his life. I would like to thank him especially for taking care of the world’s water, for monitoring it, and for visiting StandingRock and offering his support. Thinking of all his family and friends in your sorrow. With love from Katy Harries in Durban, South Africa
Mary Kotalik-Lonigro says
David was my first cousin. I, like him served in the Air Force and recall seeing his photograph in uniform. I was inspired by his service and I too joined in 1979. He was 11 years older than me. Small doses of inspiration touched me! I know that he lives on in pure spirit form. I recall seeing David studying at USD library while I was in high school. That too inspired me to pursue my undergrad and grad degree! Just his physical presence made me know that I could go to college as well.
I also recall when my father died (his mother and my dad were siblings) he went to my mom and kneeled before her, took her hand and spoke kind words of dad to her! My witnessing of this made me tear up!
My heart goes out to his wife and children as they will immensely miss his physical presence. In the end, it’s touching the hearts and souls of others that leaves behind an imprint of love, caring and inspiration!
With Love and Comfort,
Mary Kotalik-Lonigro