David Allen Ihla, 75, of Blaine, MN, passed away on Nov. 16, 2020, at Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, MN, after a battle with COVID-19.

David was born on Sep. 2, 1945, to Melvin and Helen Ihla in Bottineau, North Dakota. After graduation from Souris High School in 1963 he took courses at Bottineau School of Forestry. Following induction into the U.S. Army Sept. 29, 1965, he served in the Vietnam Campaign and was honorably discharged July 11, 1967. He worked as a machinist/tool & die maker until his retirement in 2010.

An avid golfer, David spent many hours on the golf course, especially after retirement. If he wasn't playing, he was watching golf on TV. David was also a devoted and enthusiastic Vikings fan who never lost faith in his team no matter how many times they lost. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW).

David is survived by his wife of nearly 35 years, Mary (Hewitt), sons Conrad (Julia) of Elk River, MN and David Jr. of St. Paul; daughters Jennifer Ihla of Thornton KY, Nichole (Curtis) Stewart of Mayking KY, and Jessica (Mitch) Ponto of Wellington, CO; stepdaughters Sara (Nickolas) Cordatos of Surprise, AZ, Sonja (Eric) Grubbs of Fort Worth, TX, and Samantha (Levi) Crow of Newark, TX; 14 grandsons, 16 granddaughters, and 8 great-grandchildren.

David was preceded in death by his parents and his brother Michael Ihla and his sister-in-law Shirley Ihla.

A small service will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 21 at Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau and internment will be immediately following at the Turtle Mountain Church. A celebration and remembrance of David's life will be held in the summer.