David is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-one years, Hattie (Kopsas) Baird; daughters Edie Slifka (Keith), Jill Baird (Butch Bacon), Carrie Forristall (Paul) and son Matthew Baird (Shelley); his six grandchildren Hunter (fiancée Heather Bordwell) and Whitney Slifka, Samantha and Isaac Forristall, and Brooklynn and Matthew Baird; his brother Don (Trudy) and sisters Ruth Pollard, Margaret Fink, Martha Aasheim (Lynn), Mary Mayer (Alan), Elizabeth Kirkebak (Keith), and Dorothy Bos; and much extended family. Awaiting him in heaven were family who preceded him in death: his father H. Clark, his mother Mary Ellen, and his special aunt Edith Sletten.
After God and his family, David’s first love was his lifelong farm home southwest of Canton. He raised his children on the same land where he grew up, which was the same childhood home for his mother and aunt. He was fond of saying he never moved his entire life, but his address changed four times! Though a man of few words, David was a gifted and published poet. He was a quiet artisan and his family has many cherished treasures to remember him by in the form of writings, woodworking, paintings, and stained glass. His serene way of living touched innumerable lives in his employment at such places as Otis Radio and Adams Thermal Systems, his volunteerism for decades at Canton United Methodist Church and more recently at Avera Hospital, and his leisure spent at Active Generations and traveling to visit family or see new places.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 22, at Anderson Funeral Home from 2:00-7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00-7:00. A celebration of life will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 23 at David’s home church for his whole 75 years, Canton United Methodist Church. Prior to the celebration of life, a private family burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either Canton United Methodist Church or Avera Health Foundation.
David is survived by his beloved wife of fifty-one years, Hattie (Kopsas) Baird; daughters Edie Slifka (Keith), Jill Baird (Butch Bacon), Carrie Forristall (Paul) and son Matthew Baird (Shelley); his six grandchildren Hunter (fiancée Heather Bordwell) and Whitney Slifka, Samantha and Isaac Forristall, and Brooklynn and Matthew Baird; his brother Don (Trudy) and sisters Ruth Pollard, Margaret Fink, Martha Aasheim (Lynn), Mary Mayer (Alan), Elizabeth Kirkebak (Keith), and Dorothy Bos; and much extended family. Awaiting him in heaven were family who preceded him in death: his father H. Clark, his mother Mary Ellen, and his special aunt Edith Sletten.
After God and his family, David’s first love was his lifelong farm home southwest of Canton. He raised his children on the same land where he grew up, which was the same childhood home for his mother and aunt. He was fond of saying he never moved his entire life, but his address changed four times! Though a man of few words, David was a gifted and published poet. He was a quiet artisan and his family has many cherished treasures to remember him by in the form of writings, woodworking, paintings, and stained glass. His serene way of living touched innumerable lives in his employment at such places as Otis Radio and Adams Thermal Systems, his volunteerism for decades at Canton United Methodist Church and more recently at Avera Hospital, and his leisure spent at Active Generations and traveling to visit family or see new places.
Visitation will be held on Friday, November 22, at Anderson Funeral Home from 2:00-7:00 p.m. with family present from 5:00-7:00. A celebration of life will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 23 at David’s home church for his whole 75 years, Canton United Methodist Church. Prior to the celebration of life, a private family burial will take place at Forest Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to either Canton United Methodist Church or Avera Health Foundation.
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