David “Butch” Michael Werner Jr., age 60, of Hammond, formerly of Menomonie and Hudson, passed away on October 19, 2024, at Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Mary’s Campus in Rochester, following a brief illness. Born in Robbinsdale, Minnesota, to David M. Werner Sr. and Jerrine M. (Ryan) Werner, David’s journey through life was marked by love, adventure, and devotion to those he loved.

Growing up in Brooklyn Park, David attended Middle School and High School before heading off to a technical college in North Dakota. After a year, he realized his passion lay elsewhere and began a successful career in freight transportation. David found great joy in his work, spending thirty-five years hauling loads across the country with his 26-foot box truck under his company, Werner Trans. He loved the freedom it gave him, allowing him to create lasting memories and enjoy the stories written within the highways.

David’s life truly transformed when he met his soulmate, Darla Monette Peterson. Together, they reveled in nature’s beauty and within two short years, they tied the knot on March 10, 2008, in Arizona. Whether it was hunting trips with his uncle Nate, drag racing with friends, or traveling the Caribbean with Darla, David’s love for life was infectious. He always looked forward to giving Darla thoughtful gifts as a way to capture and cherish the memories they made together on their cruises. A man of many passions, David was a devoted fan of all things Minnesota sports: the Vikings, Twins, Wild, and even NASCAR. But when it came to college teams, he simply loved the game, no matter the school. He also had a culinary side, crafting dishes inspired by shows like Guy Fieri’s Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives, often cooking, grilling, or smoking meals for family and friend gatherings. David had a knack for creating beautiful dishes just as much as he enjoyed creating a beautiful landscape; his lawn! His neighbors could only hope to replicate the pristine lawn and landscape that David carefully tended to.

David’s heart was filled with love for his pets, especially his three beloved golden labs—Samantha “Sam”, Ozzy, and Duke. His outdoor adventures were equally dear to him, from fishing trips in Canada with his cousin Joel or nephew Vince to hunting excursions in Northern Minnesota with his uncle Nate. At his core, David was a family man, cherishing every moment spent with loved ones and creating a legacy that will be remembered by all who knew him.

David is survived by his loving wife, Darla; his daughter, Ivory Anderson; niece Rachel (Vince) Lanz, nieces Elizabeth, Kendelle, Savanna; cousin Cindy (Marty) Carder; as well as his brothers and sisters-in-law Annette (David) Kast, Loison (Lily) Kast, Logan Kast, and Barbara (Frank) Zona, along with their children Koltin and Craig Zona, his sister Lori (Doug) Hanson and nephews Nate and Connor Hanson. He is preceded in death by his parents, David and Jerrine Werner; his sister, Carla Werner; and his aunts and uncles Sharon (Jerry) Hanover, Danny Ryan, Phil Jahnke, and Nathan Werner.

A Celebration of Life for David will be held on Monday, October 28th, from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM at the O’Connell Family Funeral Home, 225 South Third Street in River Falls, WI 54022. Memorials are preferred at the discretion of the family and will be used to honor David’s legacy. Interment will be private.

Cremation and memorial services are entrusted to the O’Connell Family Funeral Home of River Falls. For further details, please visit www.oconnellfuneralhomes.com or call 715-425-5644.