David Mehlhoff, 60, Garrison, passed away peacefully after a courageous battle with cancer, on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 at a Bismarck Hospital. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 9, 2016 at 2:00 pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison.
Visitation will be held on Friday from 4 to 7 at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison.

David Wayne Mehlhoff was born on December 4, 1955 to Roy and Darlene (Eslinger) Mehlhoff at Garrison Memorial Hospital in Garrison, ND. He was raised and educated in Garrison, graduating from Garrison High School in 1974. In 1977, Dave married Susan Olson. From their union they had two daughters, Traci and Casey Mehlhoff. They later divorced.

Dave worked for the Soo Line Railroad after high school until 1987, when he took over the rural route mail carrier position in the Garrison and White Shield area. In 2012 he went to work at Carbo and remained there until 2015, retiring due to health issues.

Dave was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Garrison and was an honorary member of the American Legion Sons of Legionaries and was very active with the Hugh P. Minehan American Legion Post #49 in Garrison. Dave had a great sense of humor and loved joking around with all he encountered. He enjoyed golfing, hunting, and spending time outdoors; He loved grilling and sitting by the campfire. Dave had deer that would come through his yard every evening and he could feed them out of his hand. He loved spending time in his shop working on just about anything that needed fixing. He was always willing to help his family and friends with anything he could, especially with any of their fix-it projects.

Dave's greatest joy was spending time with his three grandchildren. He attended as many games and events of theirs that he could. Dominic, McKenzie and Courtney could count on their Papa Dave no matter what was going on in their lives. His absence will leave a great void in their lives as well as the lives of all who loved him. He will be missed dearly.

Dave is survived by his daughter, Traci (Steve) Ruhland; grandson, Dominic Ruhland; granddaughters, McKenzie and Courtney, all of Garrison; brothers, Tom (Char) Mehlhoff, Bismarck, Jerry (Cheryl) Mehlhoff, Garrison, Larry Mehlhoff, Piedmont, SD, aunts and uncles, Esther Mehlhoff, Arlene Mehlhoff, Eleanor Mehlhoff, Norman (Laura) Mehlhoff, Bonnie Mehlhoff, Rena Weishaar, Sam Eslinger, Helen Eslinger, Sharon Eslinger, and George (Betty) Dendinger; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his beloved daughter, Casey.