David William Biwer, 68, of Tioga, North Dakota & Osakis, Minnesota, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 31st, 2018.

David, “Skip” Biwer was born on March 3rd, 1950 in Williston, North Dakota to John Walter Biwer and Eilene E.H. (Johnson) Biwer. He was the eldest of ten children. David graduated from Tioga High School in 1968 and attended college at the Wahpeton School of Science in Wahpeton, North Dakota where pursuing his training to become a pipefitter/welder.

David married his high school sweetheart, Pattie (Jones) on April 16th, 1971 and welcomed a beautiful daughter, Kema D’Mai (Messenger). David and Pattie’s adventures took them from Tioga to Garrison, ND then to Bloomington and Fergus Falls, MN, before eventually settling permanently in Osakis, MN where they enjoyed life on the lake.

David was a member of the Pipefitters Union, traveling throughout the Midwest over the course of his 35-year career. When his father-in-law, Birger Skistad became ill, David returned to Tioga to assist Birger & mother-in-law Donna with farming. It was this second career that turned out to be David’s passion. He loved being a farmer. Rather than return to welding following his father-in-law’s passing, David continued to farm for the rest of his life. He enjoyed few things more than he did being on the tractor in the fields or visiting over a cup of coffee in the Quonset with his buddies and his dog, Gomer.

To see David light up, you needed only to ask about his two grandson’s, Theodore IV “Timmy” and Nicholas Messenger. It wasn’t uncommon for David to drive a state away for the afternoon just to watch them play football or wrestle. “Papa”, as he was known to his boys, was always teaching them something. Whether it be math games in the car, spending summers teaching Timmy about farming or challenging Nick to games of cribbage, Papa was very involved in their lives.

Some of David’s hobbies over the years have included playing softball, golfing, fishing, casino trips with his wife & friends. When describing David, the most common responses have been that he was humorous, kind, generous, witty, hardworking, family oriented and always willing to help anyone. David’s friends & family meant the world to him.

David is survived by his mother Eilene Biwer; his devoted wife and best friend, Pattie (Jones); daughter, Kema (Tim) Messenger; grandchildren, Timmy & Nick Messenger; brothers & sisters - Paul (Cheryl) Biwer, Alan Biwer, Julie (Mick) Arness, Kenny (Sue) Biwer, Heidi (John) Cron and Travis Biwer; his very special mother-in-law, Donna Skistad; brothers-in-law and sisters-in law, Dale (Toni) Jones, Stormie (Butch) Remus, Kyle (Sally) Skistad, Lori (David) Skistad, Kory (Veronica) Skistad and their families; along with numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, John Walter Biwer; brothers, Billy and Robin; sister, Kathleen and grandparents, Matt & Esther Biwer and Oscar & Edith Johnson; and father-in-law, Birger Skistad.