David Charles Nester

David Charles Nester, 76, of Spicer, died unexpectedly on July 2, 2024 at his home near Spicer.

His Mass of Christian Burial will be 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 10, at Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church in Spicer.  Interment will be in the church cemetery. Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, with a 4:30 p.m. prayer service at Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar. Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at the church on Wednesday. Memorials are preferred to Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center or Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church. Arrangements are with Harvey Anderson Funeral Home in Willmar, www.hafh.org.

David Charles Nester was born May 7, 1948, in Willmar, Minnesota, the son of Stanis and Alice (Zetah) Nester. He grew up on a dairy farm in Sacred Heart, was baptized and received First Communion and Confirmation at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church in Renville. He graduated from Sacred Heart High School in 1966, St. John’s University in 1970 with a degree in mathematics, and obtained his MBA with an emphasis in accounting from Mankato State University in 1971. Dave first worked as an accounting and statistics professor at Westmar College in LeMars, Iowa. In July, 1972, he was commissioned in the United States Army and served in the 2d BCT Artillery where he was forward deployed as a base commander in Giannitsa, Greece. He then went to Ft. Polk, Louisiana until his discharge in July, 1974. Following his discharge, he was a Certified Public Accountant in the Twin Cities at Larson, Allen, Weishair & Co, and then founded Nester Accounting in Wabasso. A year later his brother Jim joined him, and they formed Nester and Nester, CPAs with offices in Wabasso and Redwood Falls.  Dave retired in 2011.

On June 3, 1977, Dave married his beloved Julia Ann Weaver at St. Peter and Paul Catholic Church in Atlantic, Iowa. They made their home in Wabasso, where they raised their four children: David, Holly, Christa, and Rachel. In 2007, they moved to their home on Lake Florida near Spicer.

While living in Wabasso, Dave was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church, serving on the church council and as an usher. He was very involved in the Wabasso community and was a long time member of the Lions Club, Wabasso American Legion and the Wabasso Commercial Club. After moving to Spicer, he became a member of Our Lady of the Lakes Catholic Church where he faithfully attended daily Mass and Adoration, and served as a Eucharistic Minister. Dave was active on the Prairie Woods Environmental Learning Center Board serving as treasurer, the Lake Florida Improvement Association, and the Kandiyohi County Aquatic Invasive Species Board.

He enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening, dancing, and following and attending the Minnesota Twins. In his earlier years he enjoyed waterskiing and played racquetball and tennis. Dave found joy in traveling, especially on his Harley motorcycle trips across the United States and annual fishing trips to Canada, Devil’s Lake, and Voyagers National Park with his friends and family. He was an avid reader and a champion of “dad jokes”. He enjoyed the arts, attending many theater productions and concerts with his family. Dave had a love for classical music dating back to when he was a disc jockey…a little known fact was he was the disc jockey during Minnesota Public Radio’s sign-on in Collegeville in 1967. However, most of all, he loved spending time with his family.

Dave is survived by his wife of 47 perfect years: Julia; his four children: David (Stephanie) Nester of Spicer, Holly (Mark) Simon of Sleepy Eye, Christa (John) Sherman of Marshall, and Rachel Nester (Adam Thompson) of Lakeville; and six grandchildren: Emerson, Drew, Noah, Julia, Clara, and Theodore. Also surviving are his nine siblings: Diane (Ross) Miller, Jim (Ellen) Nester, Tom (Sheri) Nester, Mark (Sandra) Nester, Mary (Ken) Tomes, Paul Nester, Joel Nester, Rick (Michele) Nester, and Therese (Jim) Mugge. Surviving in-laws include: Larry (Sherry) Weaver, Lennie Weaver, Jayne (John) Massimilian, Jamie (Mark) Harris, Valdeen Weaver Osborn, and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Stanis and Alice Nester; an infant brother: Gregory; and a nephew: Andrew Nester. Also preceding in death were his father and mother-in-law: Lester and Aleen Weaver; and in-laws: Ronald Weaver, Richard Weaver, MaryBeth Weaver, Jane Weaver, and Christopher Massimilian.

Dave was a devoted husband, loving father, and doting grandfather. He was passionate about his faith, his family, and his love of country. He was a man of service to others. He will be greatly missed.

Blessed be his memory.