David Earl Lien

October 7, 1939 ~ January 19, 2023

David E. Lien, 83, Brandon, died Thursday, January 19, 2023, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, after a three year battle with Bile Duct cancer.

Parking for the Dave Lien funeral will be more limited than we prefer because of the snowfall we’ve received this season. Here are some options:

You are welcome to park in the B&G parking lot east of the church.

You are welcome to park in the row farthest south at Dollar General.

Please consider carpooling if at all possible.

We would like to keep the parking spaces closest to the church entrance available for the Lien family and our guests who may have difficulty walking from the street or the aforementioned spaces at B&G or Dollar General.

Visitation with family present will be 5-7pm, Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church, Brandon.  Funeral Services will be 11am, Wednesday, January 25, 2023, also at Spirit of Truth.  Burial with Full Military Honors will follow at Brandon Lutheran Cemetery. Click her to live stream the service https://youtu.be/ImUxv1BQZUc. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be directed to the Post 131 American Legion, Valley Springs, Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church, Brandon, or a charity of your choosing.

David Earl Lien was born Oct 7, 1939, in Luverne, MN. to Thelmer and Gladys (Sundem) Lien.  He was baptized and confirmed at Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Hills, MN. He was the second son of four boys and raised on a farm east of Beaver Creek, MN. Dave graduated in 1957 from Beaver Creek High School. He participated in football, basketball, and track, winning a gold medal in the 4 x 4 relay. 

After graduation, Dave tried several jobs and attended heavy equipment school in Homestead, FL.  He decided John Morrell & Co would offer him the best option and worked in several departments and with encouragement, he took the Machine Shop Test and became a mechanic roustabout. From 1962 to 1964, Dave served on active duty in the U.S. Army, stationed in Fort Leonard Wood, MO, and Fort Sill, OK. He completed classes at Southeast Vo-Tech in electronics and earned the title of electrician at John Morrell & Co.

Dave returned to military service in U.S. Army Reserve as a weekend warrior and served many years as an instructor of Chemical Defense 504 3rd USARF School in Fargo, ND. Dave was very proud to be in the military and retired as an E8 MSG with 29 years of service. He also was a member of Valley Springs American Legion Post 131. In 2021, he was part of Mission 8 Midwest Honor Flight.

Dave and Bonnie were married on October 4, 1975, and bought their acreage in Brandon. In November 1976, they were blessed with a very special son, Erik.  

The faith Dave had, always showed in how he lived his life. As a member of Spirit of Truth Lutheran Church, he was in Men’s Bible Study and as Property Deacon for four years.  He was always ready to serve whenever needed in his parish and in the community.

Dave was a proud member of the Norse Glee Club and served as President; Nordic Hall Board member and President; he Coached Special Olympics-Brandon, Sprinters, Basketball, Softball, and Bowling for 26 years.

Dave always loved fast cars, tractors, the Vikings, the Twins, going to Husets, Knoxville, and 17 years at KC Speedway races, and three years of racing #85, front wheel drive class, with Erik. His favorite cars: ‘55 Chevy Impala, and ‘59 Chevy Corvette. He restored Bonnie’s 1969 Mustang, and with Casey’s help, was able to drive it in November. He was a lifelong learner and always reading, and taking courses. Our memories to cherish were their trips to Sydney, Australia, Honolulu, HI, Catalina Island, and New Orleans.

Dave will be deeply missed by his wife, Bonnie (Maschino); children, Erik Lien, Brandon, and Lezli (Dan) Klitzke, Sioux Falls; stepchildren, Casey (Melanie) Hurney, Brandon, Pat Hurney, Brandon; Mary (Jim) DeRouchey, Omaha, NE; three granddaughters, and six grandsons; four great-granddaughters; brothers, Michael (Joan) Lien, and Richard Lien; and sister-in-law, Laura Lien, Sioux Falls.

Dave was preceded in death by his daughter, Sonja Lien; parents, Thelmer and Gladys (Sundem) Lien; and stepson, Mark Hurney; brother, Tom Lien; parents-in-law, Wilson and Helen Maschino; sister-in-law, Vickie Lien.