David Jon Hoyord, age 66, of Lakeville, MN formerly of Iola, WI was suddenly taken to his heavenly home on March 19, 2014.
David is preceded in death by his parents, Lenwick and Glenna Hoyord and sister, Lana Petersen. He is survived by his wife, Jan; sons, Benjamin, Joshua (Kjersten), and Daniel (Amy) Hoyord; grandchildren, Caleb, Lucas, Olivia, Sam, and Eden; siblings, Tom (Ann), Richard, and Janice (Rev. Steven) Sparley. He was very devoted to his family and dearly loved them all.
David graduated from Iola-Scandinavia High School and went on to graduate from Bethany Lutheran College and Mankato State University. He earned a degree in Biology Education and was a life-long advocate for the sanctity of human life. He had the courage of his convictions and believed that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by our God, the Creator and Savior. He taught high school science in Wisconsin and Minnesota. He worked at the Waupaca County Courthouse before entering Bethany Lutheran Seminary. He was an ordained pastor for 20 years, serving in Northwood and Waterloo, IA and Apple Valley, MN in which he baptized, confirmed and shepherded many souls. Upon retiring from the ministry he returned to teaching at the Area Learning Center in Lakeville, MN.
He enjoyed his work as well as a wide variety of hobbies and adventures, including climbing Mt. Rainer as a firefighting lumberjack, hiked through the Grand Canyon, fished the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, camped and sailed in Door County, rode the rails to the Pacific Northwest, and explored Paris. He took great pleasure in Baroque music, bird watching, fixing and tinkering with everything from snowmobiles to homemade lefse flippers, and mediating on God’s word every morning. He was a peaceful and gentle man who is now rejoicing in the ultimate reward of eternity in Heaven, which is available to everyone through the gift of salvation, won by the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Funeral Service was held 4 p.m., Sunday, March 23, 2014 at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 20270 Iberia Ave., Lakeville, MN with visitation 1 hour prior to service. Also, 2 p.m., Monday, March 24, 2014 at Redeemer Lutheran Church, Iola, WI with visitation 1 hour prior to service. Interment followed at Zion Lutheran Cemetery, Iola, WI. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be dedicated to providing children’s Bibles and Sunday school materials. On line condolences at: www.whitefuneralhomes.com