David Lee LaFee was born on Easter Sunday, April 25, 1943, at Philip, South Dakota, the son of Robert and Blanche (King) LaFee. He attended grade school at Hardingrove and Philip. He attended high school at Quinn before graduating from Sunshine Bible Academy. After graduation, he attended college in Minnesota and Black Hills State College.

Dave worked various jobs until 1966 when he began his employment at Golden West Telephone Coop where he worked for 33 years before retiring in 1999.

Dave was united in marriage to Linda Dartt on June 20th, 1969, in Rapid City. With this marriage came two much loved sons, Mark and Charles. They made their home in Wall, where Dave and Linda also owned and operated the Red Arrow Campground from 1975-1978.

After their retirement, they moved to the beautiful Black Hills near Keystone, and later to their home in Rapid City. Dave dearly loved his family and friends, and thoroughly enjoyed spending time with them. Dave and Linda spent several winters in Tucson, Arizona.

While in Wall, Dave was a member of the United Methodist Church; Past-Master of Masonic Lodge 210; member of the American Legion Post #246, Wall Volunteer Fire Department; past President of the Wall School Board, in addition to a member of the Jaycees and Wall Medical Board. He was a member of the United Church of Christ and also a licensed private pilot.

Survivors include his wife of 56 years, Linda; sons Mark Van Vleck (Cindy) of Rapid City and Charles Van Vleck of Philip; six grandchildren David (Casey) Van Vleck of Summerset, Ganeva Van Vleck of Rapid City, Erica (John) Cortez of Portland, Texas, Jonathan Aleman of Corpus Christi, Texas, LaRee (Justin) Lafferty, and Laura Norris; six great-grandchildren Westin Van Vleck, John, Daniel, Elicia, and Desiree Cortez, and Charlee Lafferty; three sisters Barbara (Monty) Hackens of Johnson Siding; Ruth (Jerry) Butters of Colorado; and Beth Parsons of Philip; brothers-in-law Dan (Bev) Dartt of Wall, Burton (Angie) Dartt of Wall, and Eddie Dartt of Wall; sisters-in-law Janet (Bob) Feller of Rapid City and Betty (Mick) Babcock of Jamestown, ND; his aunts Viola (Merle) Royer of Rapid City and Neva LaFee of Idaho; several nieces and nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Dave was preceded in death by his father Robert LaFee; mother Blanche Parsons; nephew Vernie Hackens; and mother and father-in-law Burle and Velma Dartt.

Visitation will be held 5-6:30 with a prayer service at 6:30 p.m. Monday, October 20, 2025 at the Community Center in Wall.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2025 at the Community Center in Wall.

Interment with military honors will follow at the Wall Cemetery.