a bit of summer...from minnesota

i'm in minnesota for a bit longer and am trying to enjoy some of the midwestern summer. many of the shots below were taken at my childhood home after we buried my dad's ashes. my parents sold the homestead six years ago; it was a comfort to be back in the place that was the setting for so many good memories. 

alexandra playing in (and ultimately eating) the dirt 

birch coulee creek - my childhood swimming pool 

luke and kieran measuring themselves against the soybeans 

madeline and luke looking at the barn at my childhood home 

tree frog on the shed

sunflowers for the birds

the old feed mill

the end of a beautiful life...

David Stephen Foley, the son of Ruth and Mike Foley, was born June 28, 1948 in Morris, Minnesota. He attended St. Cloud State University where he majored in music and met the love of his life, Ann Mellstrom. Ann and Dave were married in February 1970 and soon moved to the Franklin-Morton area where they raised their four children.

Dave was the service manager at Scott-Preusse in Redwood Falls for 31 years. When he “retired” to their lake house near Alexandria, Dave began working for Juettner Motors, a job he held at the time of his death.

He spent many years volunteering his time for the 4-H shooting sports program, gun safety classes, Boy Scouts, and Lake Rachel Association. Dave and Ann provided music for multiple churches including the Sacred Heart Catholic churches in Franklin and Glenwood. He was also a founding member of the Renville County chapter of Pheasants Forever and a member of Ducks Unlimited. Dave treasured his time with family and enjoyed fishing, hunting, sporting clays, and making music. He touched many lives with his kindness, generosity, and loving spirit.

Dave died, surrounded by his family, on Tuesday, July 26, 2011 at the Knute Nelson Care Center in Alexandria at the age of 63. He leaves behind many beloved friends and family members including his wife of 41 years, Ann; his children Sarah Foley (Brian Allison) of Cologne, Stephanie Clemens (David Clemens) of Des Moines, Iowa, Melissa Foley (Pete Dal Ferro) of Felton, California, and Matthew Foley (partner Michele Miller) of Litchfield; his grandchildren Madeline, Kieran, Luke, and Alexandra; his siblings Phyllis Johnson (Gay), Karen Daly (Nick), and Mike Foley (Jean); many nieces, nephews, cousins; and his hunting companions Katie and Koda. In death he will be reunited with his parents, brother Jack, mother- and father-in-law, and many dear friends.

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Thank you all for the words of support, thoughts, blessings, prayers, and love. We are weathering each moment and day as they come and cherish the many wonderful memories we have of a brother, husband, dad, grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend who left us much too soon.