At St. Luke’s Hospital, Duluth, Minnesota, Paul and Helen Haag became the proud parents of a baby boy on October 27, 1941. They named him David Paul. He grew up mainly in that same area, until January, 1954. When he was 12, the little family arrived in South Africa as missionaries. He attended school there and was not happy to have to learn the Afrikaans language. He had to adapt to a whole new type of lifestyle, and missed being back home.
Eventually the little family moved to the area of Port Shepstone, KwaZulu Natal, where he attended school. In 1957 they came back to the United States where he attended school until it was time for Paul and Helen to return to South Africa. David made the decision to return with them, and opted to travel with them visiting churches to present the mission work in various states. When travelling through Bowman, North Dakota, he met a young lady, Donna Trhlik, and knew this was his future wife, even though he was only 16 years old.
Earlier on, he had had a definite experience with the Lord and knew that God had a call upon his life. Donna came to South Africa in 1960, and they were married in Port Shepstone, South Africa in 1961. Even though so young, thus began their career of missionary life, working with Paul and Helen. They returned to the States in order to visit churches to present the mission in SA. Their oldest daughter, Valdene, was born in ND in 1962, and they returned to SA to continue their missionary life. Two more daughters were born, Lynette in 1964 in SA and Michele in 1966 in ND.
David, with Donna, spent the rest of his life ministering the Gospel in SA, the USA and various other countries around the world. Calvary Bible Institute was established in about 1978 in Durban area and they were a vital part of training workers to enter the ministry. Many lives were touched through this humble man of God, who wanted all the glory to go to Jesus. He was given various titles such as: “Pastor”, “Reverend”, “Doctor” and “Founding Bishop”. However the title he loved most was Dad. Many, many people across the country of South Africa came to call him “Dad”. A title one young man gave him was, “Doctor Love.” What an apt title, as David also preached love and showed people of any nationality love.
When his father passed away, in 1983 David became the Moderator of the SA Evangelistic Mission, which was started by the Haags. He held this title until about 2011 when he handed it over to national leadership. He continued to minister in churches to help build up the people. He was loved and respected by people wherever he went. He lived a life of integrity and was an example of Jesus Christ.
Because of ill health, from 2019 onwards he and his wife lived in River Falls, Wisconsin full time. His one big regret was not being able to return to SA to bid farewell to the many people who loved and respected him.
He leaves behind his beloved wife, Donna, his daughters Valdene and David Inlow, Lynette and Melvain Donyes, Michele and Jim Denison. His grandchildren, Jonathan (Sarah), Yvan, (Stephanie), Stefan (Hema), Kyndra (Chris), David (Kristi), Christopher, Colter and Jake (Claudia). Also great grandchildren, Sebastien, Luka, Mathis, Davin, Aleric, Jace, Amira, Abigail, Eleanorah and Oliver.
Visitation 4-7 PM Friday September 13, 2024 at O’Connell Funeral Home, 520 S. 11th St. Hudson and 10-11 AM Saturday at church. Funeral Service 11 AM Saturday (9/14) at C3 Church, W7562 US Hwy 10, Ellsworth. Burial Willow River Cemetery, Hudson.To view the live-stream video of the funeral service, click here

In lieu of flowers please send donations to SAEM for David Haag memorial. These funds will be designated by Donna to a cause close to her & David’s heart. Click Here to donate