David Allen Gladue

David “Dave” Gladue of Fargo, ND passed away peacefully in his home while watching his favorite Western shows on MeTV in the early morning hours of May 16th, 2025. He was 78 years old.

Dave was born February 24th, 1947 in Grand Forks, ND and was the 5th child born to Joe and Faye (Leach) Gladue. In his younger years, Dave and his family lived in several areas such as Greenbush, MN; Neche, ND; Pembina, ND; Hallock, MN; and Kennedy, MN as well as Grand Forks and East Grand Forks. He also lived in Reno, NV and Merced, California for a short period but after that most of his adult life was lived in the Fargo area.

In his younger years while living in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks, Dave worked in the potato houses and often told stories of carrying hundred-pound bags of potatoes and loading them into boxcars. He talked about the people he worked with and the fun they had but always made it known to his children it was “hard work” because working in hard in life was something Dave prided himself on. After moving to Fargo, Dave began working at Steiger Tractor (now known as Case New Holland) and was a production supervisor on the night shift. After some time at Steiger Tractor, Dave decided to go into the flooring business and worked for Twin City Construction until their flooring division closed in the late 1970s. At that time, Dave decided to start his own flooring business and ended up as an independent flooring installer and worked out of Kallod Carpet for over 35 years. During his years of flooring installation, Dave was never prouder than when his son Davy started working with him and continued to work side by side with his dad for over 25years and was his partner until the day Dave retired. It wasn’t until he was in his 60’s he decided his body had enough of laying flooring and he went to work at Matbus and drove city bus in Fargo/Moorhead for the past 15+ years.

Dave met the love of his life, Marsha (Parson) Hansen, while working at Steiger Tractor and they were married on May 28th, 1977 at which time Dave became “dad” to Marsha’s two daughters, Merilyn and Mickey, who he loved and raised as his own. On July 6th, 1978, Dave and Marsha welcomed their son David “Davy” Gladue. Having Davy completed Dave’s family and going forward everything he did in life was for his family.

Dave loved doing family things and throughout the years everything he did involved his family so much that Marsha use to tease him about “never having alone time”. It wasn’t until their first grandson was stationed in Louisiana that Dave and Marsha took a vacation without any one else to spend Christmas with their grandson who could not come home that year. Prior to this the last time they had honestly taken a trip alone was for their honeymoon in 1978. After that trip to Louisiana, Dave and Marsha spent as much time together going to casinos, Deadwood, SD and other little trips by themselves until Marsha’s passing in March 2015.

Dave was always the comedian of the family. Whether he was telling a joke; some funny, some not so funny/some appropriate and many not appropriate, or drawing a funny cartoon; Dave loved to make people laugh. Dave was a peace keeper as well. There was not a person he met he did not like and if he didn’t like you and who did not like him. After Marsha’s passing, Dave found new friends and developed new bonds. Dave also had a very kind soul and would help anyone in need whether is was to buy you a meal, give you a ride or come to your home to repair something. He always showed his kids the kind and gentle side of life and the value of helping others whenever possible.

Dave is survived his daughter Merilyn (Robert) Wilson Fargo, ND and his son Dave (Melissa Kuznia and her son Jonathan) Gladue of Lake Bronson, MN. He is also survived by his grandchildren Marshall (Katie) Hansen of Great Falls, MT; Marisa “Mars” Clemenson, Bobby Jo Wilson, Thomas Wilson, Gary Wilson and Ruthann “Jonas” Wilson all of Fargo, ND; Gina (Chloe) Shepard and Paige Gladue of Fargo, ND; Zane Vandaveer of 29 Palms, CA and David “Junior” Gladue of Lake Bonson, MN and his great grandsons Aaron and Jordan Hansen of Great Falls, MT. Dave is also survived by his siblings Leona Day of Merced, CA; Rosanna Anderson of Fargo, ND; Richard “Dick” (Teresa) Gladue of Fargo, ND; Donald “Donny” (Liz) Gladue of East Grand Forks, MN; William “Bill” (Rita) Gladue of Hillsboro, ND and Dianna Helegeson of Fargo, ND. He is also survived by his sisters-in-law Sharol Gladue of Lake Bronson, MN; Rhonda Mingay of Lebanon, IN.
Along with all of the mentioned survivors, Dave is also survived by many many many nieces and nephews who he loved as much as he loved his own children. Every one of you had a very special meaning to him and he had his special memories of times spent with all of you. You were all very special to your uncle.

Dave is proceeded in death by his parents Joe and Faye Gladue; his beloved wife Marsha Gladue; daughter Micole “Mickey” Hansen-Gladue, granddaughter Aimee Emery-Gladue and great grand-daughter Emarosa Wilson-Thomas; brothers Joe “Sonny” Gladue. Martin Gladue, Jimmy Gladue and Jerry Gladue; brothers-in-law Robert “Bob” Anderson, Bud Day and Les Helegeson and sister-in-law Cheryl Gladue.