David A. Holien

David Alden Holien, age 79, of Buffalo City, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his wife and family on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. He was born on June 3, 1936 in Ossian, IA a son of the late Melvin and Clara (Bohr) Holien. David attended and graduated from the Canton High School with the class of 1953 in Canton, MN. David honorably served his country as a member of the United States Air Force where he was an Air Force Mechanic. On August 17, 1973, David was united in marriage to Audrey Pavek at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. David was very proud to have accomplished the task of completing his Bachelor’s Degree from Winona State University. He was the long-time owner and operator of Dave’s Mississippian from 1972 until retiring in 1992. During this time, Dave drove truck in Winona for Murphy Freight Line. After 1992, David began an over the road trucking career that saw him working for several different companies, most notably, Hittner Trucking and Lake Center Industries. David loved time relaxing on the Mississippi river and had an innate way to make those around him smile, either with a witty joke or a great story. He will long be remembered as a humble and selfless man with great integrity perseverance and emotional strength, which was evident during his most trying times of battling cancer, back surgeries and other physical ailments. He never made it about him because he was more concerned with the well-being of others. David was proud to be a cancer survivor so that he could be part of his 10 grandchildren's lives. David will be sadly missed by his beloved wife of the past 42 years, Audrey of Buffalo City; five children, Kay Aanestad of St. Paul, MN, and her children, Kellen Anderson, Paige Aanestad and Zoe Aanestad; David “Joe” (Kristin) Holien of Winona and their children, Morgan, Chris and David Holien; John Holien of Minneapolis and his children, Sophia and Thor Holien; Kirk Holien of Winona, Ben (Dawn) Holien of Buffalo City and their children, Karson and Keira Holien; sister Jean (Jim) Malanaphy of Stillwater, MN; also by nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Besides his parents, David was preceded in death by his nephew, David John Malanaphy. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, March 29, 2016 at 10:30 AM at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, Alma, WI. Burial will follow at Buffalo City Cemetery, Buffalo City, WI. A visitation will be held on Monday, March 28 from 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM at the Talbot Family Funeral Home, Alma Chapel and again on Tuesday at the church from 9:30 AM until the hour of the Mass. Memorials in David’s name would be appreciated to the wishes of the family for future dedications to enhance Buffalo City. I was supposed to spend the rest of my life with you and then I realized…you spent the rest of your life with me. I smile because I know you loved me till the day you went away. And will keep loving me…till the day we’re together again.