David Charles Moehnke died at the age of 81, on September 9, 2024. He was born on October 4, 1942, at St Marys Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota. He graduated from John Marshall in 1960. After graduating, Dave and two buddies from the class of 1960, headed to Yellowstone National Park to work for the summer. He then enlisted in the Navy. He was assigned to the Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two. In 1974, he married Ranada Barry. September 20, 2024, would have been their 50 ^th wedding anniversary.

Dave is survived by his wife Ranada; stepdaughter Shelly Romness of Austin, MN; grandchildren Patti (Jon) Puffer of the Twin Cities; Jamie Swank of Kasson, MN; Nick (Katie) Orr of Kenyon, MN; and Mark Anderson of New York, NY. He was preceded in death by his parents, Clarence and Florence Moehnke; sisters, Nancy Campbell and Mariann Lampman; brother, Bob Moehnke; stepson, Mark Koperski; and step-grandson Jeffrey Orr.

In 2005, Dave and Renada moved back to the Rochester area after a 30-year absence to be close to family.

Horticulture, landscaping, and environmental issues were an important part of his life, both personally and professionally. With a career in sales management, Dave retired in 2005 from the lawn and garden industry as Vice President of sales/marketing for Heartland Gardens.

Volunteering became an important part of Dave's retirement. He was a Master Naturalist with over 1,000 hours volunteered. He volunteered as a board member of Quarry Hill Nature Center, volunteered with Citizen Forester, Audubon Society, Bluebird Recovery Program, Minneapolis Men's Garden Club, and DNR Tree Care Advisory. He volunteered at the May Clinic as a greeter and to assist patients, at Rochester Crime Prevention V.I.P.S., at Rochester Radio Theater, and at Kiwanis. He also assisted with the launch and recovery for Hot Air Balloons. He had a registered Monarch Way Station at his home.

After returning to Rochester, for a while, Dave played Rochester's "downtown" Santa. Playing Santa Claus gave Dave the most joy. He entertained children, young adults to the elderly. As Santa, he was rescued from the top of the old City Hall by the Rochester Fire Department.

The Celebration of Life service to honor the life of David Charles Moehnke will be from 10:30-12:30 p.m. followed by a luncheon on Friday, October 4, 2024, in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home in Rochester.

In lieu of flowers, family requests memorials to Quarry Hill Nature Center.