David Leonard Hove, son of Leonard and Bernice (Halvorson) Hove, age 73, died Thursday, June 19, 2014 at the Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls, SD after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. David was born December 25, 1940, at the Flandreau Hospital. He attended Juve country school and graduated from Flandreau High School in 1959. He received a Business/Economics degree from Augustana College in 1963. David was united in marriage to Connie Bely on June 12, 1966 in Sioux Falls. Their marriage was blessed with two daughters, Danelle and Denita. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith and was a member of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Flandreau. Driving a tractor at a very young age on the family farm and accompanying his Uncle Ted to cattle ranches in western South Dakota planted a seed in David that lasted his lifetime. He proudly operated a successful farm and cattle feedlot in Flandreau, raising crops and finishing feeder cattle for market. David had a love for the open road. He enjoyed visiting with fellow farmers and looking at crops and feedlots throughout the countryside. He had a passion for cars. He recently told his teenage grandson, "girlfriends can wait…when I was your age all I was interested in was cars!" His grandchildren enjoyed taking their turn getting a ride in Grandpa's 1961 Corvette. Of all the hats that David wore, (husband, Dad, grandpa, brother, cousin, friend, farmer, cattle feeder, employer, mentor, sports fan and car enthusiast), he was most proud of the Grandpa hat. He rarely missed an event of his grandchildren's and proudly told others about them. He enjoyed vacationing with his family in The Black Hills, Disneyworld and Lake Okoboji. He was a fan of Augustana football and basketball games. His family marveled at the fact that wherever they went, David always bumped into someone he knew; he could strike up a conversation with anyone.

Grateful for having shared his life are his wife, Connie, daughters Danelle (Aaron) Schultz and Denita (Leroy) Dinger of Sioux Falls, grandchildren Logan, Brady and Parker Schultz and Landon and Myah Dinger, sister Judy Oslun (Myrtle Beach SC), nieces and nephews, and several cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents, brothers-in-law William Oslun and Dennis Bely, nephew David Oslun, and special friend Bill Stahly.

A celebration of David's life will be Tuesday, June 24, 2014 at 11:00 am at Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Flandreau with burial in Oslo Cemetery. Visitation with the family present will be 5 – 7 pm Monday with a 7:00 pm prayer service at Skroch Funeral Chapel. The family suggests memorials be given to a charity of your choice. www.skrochfc.com