DAVID WENDELL TWETE

David Wendell Twete, 57, Williston, N.D., formerly of Palmer, died Jan. 31, 2005, in his home of natural causes.

A memorial service will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 12, in the Kehl's Memorial Chapel at 209 Alaska Way, Palmer.

Mr. Twete was born Sept. 12, 1947, to Wendell and Lillian (Edal) Twete. He was raised and educated in Wildrose, N.D, confirmed in the Lutheran faith and graduated from the State School of Science in Wahpeton.

While employed by a newspaper company in Bel Fourche, S.D, he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1967. He spent two years in Germany during his time of service and was honorably discharged. He traveled to Alaska in January 1970, where he built his home and resided for 33 years.

He married Kathleen Alexander in 1972. From this union, three children were born. Mr. Twete worked as a truck driver on the Alaskan pipeline and retired as a teamster from K&L Distributors. In June 2003, he moved back to his state of birth, North Dakota.

His family wrote, "Dave's greatest enjoyments in life were the Twete family outings. He loved to play pinochle with the family and pool with his friends. When his children were growing up, he had many good times, taking them three-wheeling, camping and fishing. He especially liked having all of his nieces and nephews around and watching them grow up throughout the years. Dave hosted the traditional Christmas Eve dinner for all of the Twete families in Alaska and never failed to have lutefisk and lefsa on the table. He was a great father, grandfather, brother and friend. We all cherish the wonderful memories we had with Dave and we will hold him in our hearts forever."

He is survived by his children, Anita (Brandon) Flinn of Palmer and Derek David Twete of Washington; a grandson, Logan Sherk; sisters, Darlene (Lyle) Kackman of Palmer, Delores (Alan) Cain of Wildrose N.D., Dorothy (Duane) Fenster of Tioga, N.D. and Doris (Robert) Hedlund Minot; brothers, Richard (Loretta) Twete of Bismarck, N.D., Darrell (Gloria) Twete and Williston Daniel (Linda) Twete of Eagle River and numerous nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents and infant daughter, Zanetta.