David Tuttle

David Tuttle, 82, of Alexandria, SD, died Thursday, July 18, 2024, at his home surrounded by his wife and six children. Funeral services will be at 10:30 AM Monday, July 22, at RiverTree Church in Mitchell, with visitation beginning at 9:00 AM prior to the service. A private family burial will be at Tuttle Cemetery. Arrangements by Bittner Funeral Chapel.

David Earl Tuttle was born August 9, 1941, as the second son to Melvin and Wilma Tuttle. He graduated from Fulton High School in 1959 and Dakota Wesleyan University. On August 31, 1963, Dave and Patsy (Camp) were united in marriage at the Methodist Church in Mt. Vernon. Following their wedding they moved to Kasilof, Alaska, where Dave owned his own masonry contractor business and was proud to have a 100 mile trap line. In 1973, Dave and Pat bought a farm south of Alexandria and moved back to South Dakota to raise their family, where he continued as a bricklayer as well as farming and hauling hay.

Dave’s greatest joy was his family, he instilled in his children his amazing work ethic. His love of the outdoors and nature was evident in the numerous hunting trips that he took his children and grandchildren on. Dave’s favorite past times were hunting, fishing, trapping, and playing cards, and in his later years landscaping, flowers, and watching the sunrise every morning. He spent countless days pheasant hunting with family, friends, and most importantly his favorite dogs. Dave spent many hours getting ready for memory filled hunting trips that involved camping and horseback riding.

Dave’s enthusiasm for life will live on in all the lives that he has touched. He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Patsy; six children: Mike (Cindy), John (Tricia), Ward (Melanie), Kyla (Jon) Briney, Paul (Billie), and Karen (Jason) Jarding; 25 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren; siblings, Ramona (Fred) Persan, Rod (Norma) Tuttle, and John Tuttle.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Melvin and Wilma Tuttle; brother, Merlin; and grandson, Trenton Tuttle.

“I’ve had a beautiful life, what more could a man want.” - Dave Tuttle