David Covey

Lay down your sword the battle's over. After putting up a good fight for many years, David Richard Covey passed away in the early morning hours on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at the age of 55 at United Hospital in St. Paul, MN. The youngest of four children, he was born in St. Croix Falls, WI on July 10, 1956 to William and Faye (Brunberg) Covey. He graduated from Buffalo Senior High in 1974. Though he was born with a heart condition, he made the most of his short life. There are countless stories of his antics all through life to attest to that. He met and fell in love with Carmen Swanberg in 1977 while working at Burnett Dairy. They were married on August 12, 1978, and had two children, Lucas and Cheryl. By 1984 life had taken a toll on his heart and he had his first open heart surgery. He said the years after his surgery were the best years of his life. He spent time with family and friends; hunting, fishing, camping, and enjoying the simple pleasures in life, like a good conversation and a cold beer. In 1993 he had the second of several heart surgeries and it was after this one that his health slowly declined. Dave found comfort knowing he was teaching medical professionals through the results of some of the newly developed procedures used to help him. In later years David continued to enjoy the outdoors, adding making syrup with his best friend Randy (Bugs) Larsen, gunsmithing, and gardening to his hobbies. He also loved hanging out with his grandchildren and teaching them to love the outdoors as much as he did. Though the battle got harder to fight everyday, even at the end, he kept his sense of humor and grew closer to his family, friends and God. He spread his humor and lessons as far as he could and will be greatly missed by many, many people. He is survived by his wife Carmen Covey, son Lucas (Sarah) Covey and their children Reis and Shilo Covey; daughter Cheryl (Steve Lee) Covey and her children Adrianne and Evangeline Covey and Steve's children Jacob, Adam, Alexander, Isaac, and Melanie Lee, parents William and Faye Covey; sister Mary (Earl) Wilson, sister Stephanie (Richard) Klaers; brother Dan (Becky) Covey; best friend and brother from another mother Randy (Bugs) Larsen; brother-in-law Dean (Nancy) Swanberg; sister-in-law Joanne (Howard) Pahl; and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews; family and friends. He was preceded in death by his grandparents John and Lucille Brunberg, Adrian and Violet Covey, step grandmother Loretta Covey, parents in law Ray and Mae Swanberg; nephew Gregory Klaers, and great niece Anna LaPierre. Funeral services were held Wednesday, November 9, 2011 at 11:00 AM at the Trinity Lutheran Church with Pastor Carl Heidel officiating. Pallbearers were Chad Swanberg, John Hennessey, Chuck Swenson, Mike Swenson, Jeff Norlander, and Mike Dasovic. Arrangements were entrusted to Swedberg-Taylor Family Funeral Home, Siren. Online condolences can be made at www.swedberg-taylor.com