David P Yexley
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David P. Yexley, a beloved husband, father, engineer, and faithful friend passed to Heaven's glory on March 12, 2021. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 3, 2021 at First Baptist Church with a 'Celebration of Life' service beginning at 11:00am in Aberdeen, SD with Pastor John Roloson. Burial at Sunset Memorial Gardens with Military honors by Sidney L. Smith American Legion Post 24. David was born on October 28, 1952 to Ernest and Helen Yexley of Bradley, SD. As an active farm boy, David loved the outdoors. He enjoyed hunting elk, pheasants and going on endless fishing trips with friends. However, many of his fish stories were bigger than the fish. David graduated from Bradley High School in 1970 and attended South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD, receiving his Master's Degree in Agricultural Engineering. He served in the Air Force in 1975 before beginning his engineering career with Basin Steel (Bismarck, ND), KCPL (Kansas City, KS), and Montana Dakota Utilities (Bismarck, ND). After David retired from MDU, he created a consulting business called YEXCO, served as Staff Engineer for Heitkamp Construction, Inc. (Wahpeton, ND), and was an advisor for the Wahpeton City Council.
David married his college sweetheart, Joyce Larson, on September 23, 1978 in Aberdeen, SD. They raised two beautiful daughters, Amy Jo and Hannah Rae. As a devoted dad, David dedicated every weekend to spending time with his daughter Amy Jo, who has special needs. Their forty-five-minute car rides always included singing "Wind Beneath My Wings" and enjoying a Dairy Queen blizzard. David shared his love of sports with his daughter Hannah, attending many KU Jayhawks basketball games; while following and cheering on the SDSU Jackrabbits, Kansas City Chiefs, and Royals. David embraced life and friendships with 100% enthusiasm. He was a dedicated husband and often assisted Joyce with her Vintage Fashion events and programs. Often, he teased her that he would buy her a big bus for her fashion collection and gladly escort her anywhere she wanted to exhibit it. Davis's best virtue was his desire to help others and serve the Lord. David always had a joke, a hunting story, or attempted card game to share with the men. Doris knew David as 'Mr. Fix-it". He could build or repair anything she asked him to do, and David did so gladly. He was always ready to SERVE with a smile and a joke. Joyce was grateful for David's faithful commitment to the Lord. He left behind 5 years of his prayer journals including dozens of names of friends and family who he diligently prayed for to know the Lord, as well as prayer for family decisions and wisdom for his pipeline projects. If you knew David, your name is in his prayer book. David's final prayer would be that YOUR NAME is included in the 'Book of Life'. Remember, he is in Heaven Waiting to see you again....And be assured, he will have a new joke to tell you. Grateful for having shared David's life are his wife Joyce, and daughters Amy and Hannah Yexley of West Fargo, ND; brothers Vic (Karen) Yexley, Watertown, SD, Alan (Susan) Yexley, Bradley, SD, and Steven (Betty) Yexley, Littleton, CO; many nieces and nephews. David was loved by Joyce's extended family: Parents Alfred and Doris Larson, Aberdeen, SD (who often traveled with David And Joyce); brothers Ray (Cyndy) Larson, Columbia, SD, Carson (Julie) Larson, Columbia, SD; sister Yvonne (Don) Abeln, Aberdeen, SD, and many nieces and nephews. Preceding David in death are his parents, Ernest and Helen Yexley, sister Linda Saboe and brother-in-law Arlo Saboe: nephews Michael Victor Yexley, Scott Saboe, and Gordy Lyons. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to: South Dakota School of the Blind and Visually Impaired (SDSBVI, 605 14th Ave. SE,
Aberdeen, SD 57401 (Located by the campus of Northern State University); Hellickson Engineering Scholarship at South Dakota State University (SDSU). www.spitzerfuneralhome.com