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David Iverson, 53, left this earth to be with Jesus in the early morning hours on Thurs. June 17, 2010 in the Mercy Hospital in Williston.
David Eugene Iverson was born on April 1, 1957 in Williston to Gene and Edith (Hayden) Iverson and was raised on the family farm in Hardscrabble Township. He was baptized and later confirmed at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston. David began his education at Round Prairie School, later transferring to Trenton Public School in the fifth grade. He continued there until graduating in 1975 as class valedictorian.
During his high school years, David was active in basketball and track, student government and was a Boys State candidate in Washington, DC., and was in band and choir- music being his top priority. He began playing guitar at age twelve and continued throughout his life, playing in several bands including a blue grass band, church worship bands, and for private occasions. In 1976 he auditioned for and was accepted to play trumpet in the Festival 76 Band Production which performed in this country and toured Norway, performing before an estimated 5000 people.
Because of his love for animals, David was an active 4-H member showing steers at the fair every year, and later became a 4H leader. After graduation David worked for Harper Oil and started a sideline business called Conservation Specialties, maintaining shelter belts all over the county with a tractor-pulled Tree-Ro-Weeder
In 1983 Gene and Edith moved into West Acres in Williston and David began purchasing the Iverson family homestead. David was the fourth generation Iverson to live there and over time he has completely remodeled and renovated the home.
On December 27, 1985 David was married to Karen Nisita at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Williston and they lived on the farm home until moving to Colorado where David worked for the John Deere Co. and Karen worked in nursing. They made many friends and continued to play music at many events, Dave on the guitar and Karen on the viola. After living in Colorado for over 10 years, they came back to the “wide open spaces” of North Dakota to live at the Iverson homestead where they have been self employed, operating an electronics business. Dave had been serving as chairman of the township board and was a member of the Williston Area Woodworkers.
In celebration of Dave’s life, a fitting cliche’ would be: “It’s on the inside that counts.” For all of us here, we know that to be true. Dave’s love came through inside to the out. God in His mercy gave Dave many gifts, never settling for second best. From the bible he wore the coat of many colors.
Dave was a lover of man. He saw through all the “stuff” and into the soul-he saw Jesus. He was a godly father to us all, teaching about worship, and getting to the heart of it. He honored his mother and father. He was a daddy, papa, husband, friend, teacher, mentor, pastor, worship leader, uncle, brother, mechanic, carpenter, and cowboy-in each attribute excelling beyond measure. He had a great love for music and song writing, often sharing this talent as he wrote songs for friends’ weddings, and just because. He had an uncanny knack for finding a “good deal” on a guitar. If it wasn’t a deal when he started, IT WAS WHEN HE LEFT WITH IT! Then often he sold that same guitar for more than he bought it for....... Go Figure!
He admired the fine art of engineering, tinkering with engines you and I would have left for junk. Dave loved the era of old cars, many of which you see in his yard today. He also liked the finest of guns, and motorcycles.
Dave could tell a great story. His gift for humor and laughter touched us all. A few of these stories were told far and wide. So, some of you may be famous even in Israel.
Having a strong faith in God, Dave was a man of un-compromised integrity. He loved to be an American, he loved his country.
Dave loved his many pets. Mom always said: “If there was a pile of puppies, Dave was in the middle of them.” And for each one that left the house finding a new home, Dave would say, “But that was my favorite!” Packy and Sheba were two of his dedicated friends.
King Solomon wrote, “My Beloved Is Mine and I Am His.” Dave married his soul mate Karen, his partner, his Love. They modeled the scriptures: “The two actually became One.” Karen was God’s gift to Dave.
Known to his two children, Tiffany and Roger, as “Daddy Dave”, he taught them about the love of Jesus, snuggled with them, sang “Tools was a baby Rabbit” to them, gave advice, comfort, support, and prayer everyday of his life.
He found joy in his grandchildren. For Hailey he showed her God’s love through his music, sharing piano and guitar. He helped Gabe learn the good works of a godly man, by working with his hands and of course playing in the dirt. He admired Desirra for her compassion and encouraged her in her love for sports. They had a likeness for conversation, always the last two to leave. Dave shared his love for tractors with little Jordan. He never got tired of the endless energy of a two-year-old.
Scripture says: “No greater love that a man would know, than to lay down his life for a friend.” If you were Dave’s friend you were “Special”. You were important and no matter what was going on in your life-he cared, gave encouragement, prayer and love. Dave shared or one could say “bragged” about his friends to each other. You always knew what was going on in everyone’s life whether it was from a mile down the road, across the states or country to country.
Gene had a vision for the home place which he shared with Dave. It was to build a dam and make it a place of refuge for God’s people. A place for fellowship and for worship. Dave made this vision a reality working countless hours. He caught the vision and could see the finished work before it was completed. This vision will live on through his family and friends.
Dave and Karen made five trips to Israel. God gave him a passion and love for the people and the country. He loved the Jewish roots of Christianity bringing home teachings and blessings to all of us.
Dave made his last trip to Israel in May. He lived out his favorite scripture from John 4:23 & 24: “But the time is coming, indeed it’s here now-when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and Truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth.” Though the disease took strength out of his body, he climbed to his favorite place, brought his guitar and praised his “Daddy” in Heaven. It was there he made his last request, “He was looking for a miracle.” Through it all, through this, he was our “Miracle”.
He is survived by: Father and Mother, Gene and Edith Iverson; wife, Karen; son, Roger Tjelde; granddaughter, Desirra; daughter, Tiffany (Clayton) Enno; grandchildren, Hailey, Gabe, and Jordan. Also surviving are his brothers, Doug (Sandee) Iverson and Don (Andrea) Iverson; sisters, Laurie (Mike) Brunelle, and Lynne (Bill) Lawrence; and nieces and nephews, Travis and Cody Brunelle, Summerly Houston, DJ Iverson, Charity Harstad, Casey Iverson, Robin Coots, Wade Lawrence, Erin, Lexi, and Katie Iverson.
The Everson Funeral Home of Williston is caring for the family.
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His funeral will be celebrated Tuesday afternoon, June 22, 2010, at 2:00 p.m. at New Hope Wesleyan Church in Williston, ND. Pastor Tom Karp and Pastor Marty Gale will officiate.
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Friends may visit the Everson Funeral Home of Williston Monday from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until noon, and at the church on Tuesday for the hour preceding the service.
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Interment will follow in the Westview Cemetery, rural Williston.
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