David Althaus

David H. "Dave" Althaus, age 68 of Melrose, died peacefully surrounded by his family on Tuesday, December 23, 2014 at his home in Melrose, Minnesota.

A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be 11 a.m. Monday, December 29 at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose with Rev. Marvin Enneking officiating. A private inurnment will take place at a later date. Military honors were provided by the Melrose Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Sunday and from 9 to 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Patton-Schad Funeral Home in Melrose. Parish prayers will be held at 7 p.m. Sunday evening at the funeral home.

David Henry Althaus was born June 11, 1946 in Melrose, Minnesota to Ray and Celina (Braegelmann) Althaus. He graduated from Melrose High School in 1964. He was united in marriage to Diane Loehr on September 25, 1971 at St. Andrew's Catholic Church in Greenwald. Dave owned and operated Althaus Bulk Milk from 1967 through 1978. In 1979 he started Althaus Construction which he operated until his retirement in 2013.

He was a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Melrose and the American Legion Post 101. Dave was a family man who loved and cared for his family, especially his granddaughter, Courtney. She was very special to Dave. He loved going up north to hunt with his son, Jason and other friends. He also enjoyed ice fishing and having coffee and breakfast with his buddies.

Survivors include his wife, Diane Althaus of Melrose; son, Jason Althaus (special friend, Beth Revermann) of New Munich; granddaughter, Courtney Althaus; mother, Celina Althaus of Melrose; brother and sister, Ron (Mary) Althaus of Melrose and Mary Kay (Tim) Garvey of White Bear Lake; and nieces and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his father, Ray Althaus; and brother, Ken Althaus.

Serving as urn bearer will be Chad Althaus. Cross bearer will be Courtney Althaus and scripture bearer will be Michaela Althaus. Honorary bearers will be Rick Schneider, Lyle Olmscheid, Ken Schneider, Jerry Wiechmann, Dick Imdieke, Jerry Imdieke, Dennis Bertram, Mike Ellering, Don Brang, Jeff Zachman, and Ralph Inderrieden.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred.