David William Truax, 83, Plum City, Wisconsin, was called by his Lord and Savior to his heavenly home after a brief battle with cancer on, Saturday, March 20, 2021.  He died peacefully, with his family surrounding him.

Born in Zimmerman, MN, on September 5, 1937, Dave was the firstborn child of Laurence Truax and Audrey Meyer (Bartlett).  The family was made complete with the coming of two younger sisters, Joanne Weinkauf-Donovan, and Judy Rees, and later in life, a younger half-brother, Bill Truax.  He graduated from Onamia High School in 1955.  He enjoyed sharing stories of his adventures in California right after he graduated from high school.

At 20 years old, on September 25, 1957, Dave married the love of his life, Judith Grace Weinkauf in Onamia, MN.  Their 61-1/2-year marriage was blessed by two sons: Steve (Jenny) Truax, Plum City, WI, and Brian (Bibi Bacchus) Truax, Apple Valley, MN; three grandchildren: Danielle (Blake), Caleb, and Phillip, as well as three great-granddaughters: Natayja, Sophie, and Blair–his delight since her birth.  Dave and Judy set the bar high as a shining example of the rewards gained by a marriage and life filled with hard work, careful decisions, focus on Christ, and devotion to each other.

In 1972 Dave and Judy moved the family from Columbia Heights, MN, to Ellsworth, WI, building a home on a piece of property in Pierce County along the Trimbelle River on CTY RD O.  They joined English Lutheran Church with their move to Ellsworth.

Dave was employed by the Ford Motor Company, St. Paul, MN, where he worked as a Millwright and retired after 32 years of employment.  He was a proud member of the UAW-United Auto Workers Union, and he was able to retire from Ford in his early 50s.  He was also a former longtime member of the Beldenville Old Car Club, as well as a previous member of the Local 879 Elks Lodge, Arizona.  He also enjoyed being a member of the Friday morning bakery/coffee crew in Plum City, Wisconsin.

Together, Dave and Judy shared many adventures including raising two sons, Cub Scouts, bowling, ice fishing, snowmobiling, restoring and showing old cars, extended travel, family reunions, chasing their grandkids’ activities, and winters with their snowbird family in Mesa, Arizona. Dave and Judy did their very best to live life the “right” way.

Some of Dave’s favorite things were the deer in his yard, mountains, cactus blooms, “all food”, the color blue, old cars, Alaska, camping, playing cribbage, mowing his lawn, and just “putzing” in his garage.  He shared that his grandparents and his parents had the greatest impact on his life.  Christmas and camping were some of his favorite memories.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Judy Truax; father, Larry Truax; mother, Audrey Meyer; and sister Joanne Weinkauf-Donavan.  Dave will be dearly missed by his family, stepmother Bobbie Truax, loyal friends, family in-laws, aunts and uncles, and his nieces and nephews.

A Gathering of Family and Friends will take place 5:00 – 8:00 PM Friday, March 26, 2021 at the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home, 130 N. Grant St., Ellsworth.  A Memorial Service will be held 10:30 AM Saturday, March 27, 2021 at English Lutheran Church, 229 W. Main St., Ellsworth, with Pastor Jeff Smith officiating.  The service will be livestreamed on the church Facebook page at:  (20+) English Lutheran Church | Facebook  Dave will be buried next to his wife at Maple Grove Cemetery, Village of Ellsworth.  In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the American Cancer Society and English Lutheran Church.

His Lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.  Matthew 25:23 KJV

Funeral services are entrusted to the O’Connell-Benedict Family Funeral Home of Ellsworth (715) 273-4421.  www.oconnellfuneralservices.com