David Gnotke obituary

David (Pud) Dwain Gnotke, age 75, of Goodhue passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on November 19, 2025, after a 3.5-year battle with cancer.
Dave was born on May 24, 1950, in Lake City, Minn. to Ernest and Eva (Rutz) Gnotke. Dave was baptized June 25, 1950, at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Lake City where he went on to parochial school, being confirmed May 17,1964, and graduating from Lincoln High School in 1968 in Lake City. Dave grew up on the family farm southeast of Lake City prior to moving to town in 1970. On November 11, 1972, Dave married Deborah (Dahling) at St. John’s Lutheran Church in rural Goodhue and together shared 53 wonderful years. Dave worked at Di-Acro a short time and went to work at ADM in Red Wing in 1971. Dave worked his way to maintenance supervisor, retiring in 2011. He never complained about work or his coworkers.  He was up by 5 a.m. and on his way every day!  
In retirement, Dave enjoyed caring for their country acreage with mowing their six acres of lawn, tending to Jimmy’s cattle in their pasture, always keeping an eye on the beans/corn in our field, catching a game of cribbage and taking on a variety of projects around the farm.  Dave was one of the founding members of the Lakesters Car Club and loved going on car cruises with the club in his ’77 Oldsmobile Cutlass. In the fall, Dave enjoyed deer hunting and the camaraderie that the Wisconsin Crew always brought to it. Dave was an avid snowmobiler, and he owned and rode a total of 27 different sleds in his lifetime and never let his MS or Cancer keep him from getting on the sled to ride with family and friends. Dave enjoyed many trips to Northern Minnesota and Wisconsin snowmobiling.  The two trips to Yellowstone and one trip to the Big Horns riding were a highlight for him. He loved the many snowmobile trips to the Black Hills over the years, and it was his goal to go for one last ride this winter.   
Dave also was a true Minnesota sports fan. Whatever sport was in season, you can be sure he was watching it or knew if they won or lost. He enjoyed watching the Goodhue and Lake City school’s activities and sports on the live stream and could live stream his grandchildren’s school activities in St. Clair and Oconto, Wisconsin too.   Above all, Dave’s greatest joy was his family and especially his grandchildren. He never missed a chance to travel to cheer them on at whatever activity they were involved in. Since 1998, he faithfully supported his daughter, Heather, in the MS Bike Ride (TRAM) and proudly was at every finish line, no matter how hard it was for him the last few years, with Deb’s help and support, he always made it. Dave was also a big supporter and participant of the MS Sno Rally every winter for many years making lifetime friends from all over. Dave and Deb were active in the Minnesota MS chapter.  
Dave will be remembered for his quiet, gentle personality, his grit, courage, determination and the way he never complained despite the 53 years MS challenges brought or the 3.5 years cancer brought his way. His love of God, his strength and spirit are lessons for us all. Dave was able to spend his last few months in St. Croix Hospice care at his home, the only place he ever wanted to live out his life with the love and care of Deb and his kitty Snooks.
Dave will be deeply missed by his wife, Deb; daughter, Heather (Jeff) Tietje of Janesville, Minn. and son, Ross (Heidi) Gnotke of Oconto, Wisc.; grandchildren Ashley Allen, Teagan and Treysen Tietje and Charleigh Gnotke; brothers Elwood (Char) Gnotke, Ron (Elaine) Gnotke; sisters Linda (Lloyd) Hyberger, Marcia (Bruce Laufenberger) Petrich, Lila Schroeder; sister-in-law Roxanne (Dick) Lodermeier and brother-in-law Michael (Robin) Dahling; as well as many nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, parents-in-law, a baby sister, a sister-in-law, two brothers-in-law and a great nephew.
The Gnotke Family is forever thankful and grateful for the love and support of all our family and friends that have been a part of this journey. Dave was blessed with the best oncology team at Mayo Health in Red Wing.  As well as a thank you to the St. Croix Hospice these past few months, Dave was fortunate to have the best nurse and aide you can have.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the MS Society or the St. John’s Church Building Fund in Goodhue.
Visitation will be 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, November 23, at Schleicher Funeral Homes in Lake City and one hour before the services at St. John’s Ev. Lutheran Church, Goodhue.
The funeral for Dave will be at St. John’s Evangelical  Lutheran Church, County #4 Blvd., Goodhue, Minn. on Monday, November 24 at 11 a.m. with internment in St. John’s German Cemetery.  
Arrangements by Schleicher Funeral Homes, Lake City Chapel. Guest register may be signed at www.schleicherfuneralhomes.com.