David Carl Wahlberg
November 2, 1955 ~ April 11, 2025
Born in:
Duluth, MN
Resided in:
Fargo, ND
Dave’s service will be livestreamed below on Thursday April 17, 2025, at 10:00 AM.
David Wahlberg, resident of Fargo, ND, passed away April 11, 2025 from pneumonia. For the past two years, Dave fought hard against prostate cancer.
Dave was born November 2, 1955 in Duluth, MN to Clifford and Betty (Floathe) Wahlberg. Dave attended Mary McDonald Elementary school and Wm Kelley High School in Silver Bay, MN, graduating high school in 1974.
In 1985, Dave and Kathleen (Zumwalde) met while working at G.L. Ness Agency and later married in 1991. They have one child, Kyle.
Dave pursued higher education and received BS and MS degrees in Mass Communication (from MSU Moorhead and North Dakota State University, respectively), and a PhD. in Communication from North Dakota State University.
Dave’s professional experience began as a reporter with KXJB-TV in Fargo, and then later as an assignment editor at KSFY-TV. He continued in the field of communications, working in higher education for more than 20 years, primarily at North Dakota State University and Minnesota State University Moorhead, retiring from MSU Moorhead in 2019. Dave was an articulate communicator and was well-regarded in the communications industry. He made many connections in the area that resulted in lifelong friendships.
Dave loved his family, cooking on his big green egg, and visits back to the north shore of Lake Superior (one of his favorite places to be). When visiting family, he was often the instigator of many back and forth exchanges of one liners. He could often be found watching military related shows, both movies or documentaries involving historical events. Photography was one of his favorite hobbies. He enjoyed taking pictures from the trips he and Kathy made and the various meals he cooked on his big green egg and would often post them to social media. Dave had a dry, witty sense of humor that drew many eyerolls from his wife. He was a loving husband, father, uncle and grandfather and will be missed dearly.
He is survived by his wife, Kathy; son, Kyle (Savannah) and their two children; mother, Betty Wahlberg; sister, Mary Jo (Peter) Taylor; brothers-in-law, William (Linda) Zumwalde and Roger Lewis; nephews, Nicholas (Karis Hamilton) Lewis, Patrick (Jill) Taylor, Christopher Taylor, and Jonathan (Jennifer) Taylor; and niece, Mallory (TJ) Goulet, as well as many extended family members. David was preceded in death by his father, Clifford Wahlberg; mother-in-law, Sharon Zumwalde; and sister-in-law, Patricia Lewis.
A memorial service will be held at 10am on Thursday, April 17th at Boulger Funeral Home, 123 10th St S, Fargo.
Clergy: Pastor Sarah Seibel, Pastor at Hope Lutheran Church in Fargo.
Arrangements are provided by Boulger Funeral Home in Fargo, ND.
Services
Visitation - Thursday: April 17, 2025 9:00 am - 10:00 am
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
Memorial Service - Thursday: April 17, 2025 10:00 am
Boulger Funeral Home and Celebration of Life Center
123 10th Street S.
Fargo, North Dakota 58103
701-237-6441
www.boulgerfuneralhome.com
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My prayers are with the family.
My sincere sympathy to Dave’s entire family. Dave was a floor mate as a freshman in the dorm when I was a senior at MSC. I found him to be a kind and generous young gentleman.
Kathy and Kyle … I have worked with words for a living, like Dave, and the words aren’t coming together now. I have considered Dave a valued colleague for 22 years, and I will miss the sense of humor that you described in the obituary. Please know that others are with you in this time of mourning.
Sending our love prayers and hugs—-
I will miss my brother-in-law, David Wahlberg. Dave was one of those guys that you could always get into a good discussion with and regardless of which side you took the two of you could always agree to disagree but always in a very agreeable manner. Peace be with you, David. I was proud to be a member of the family.
I worked with Dave at KXJB for a number of years and had many wonderful conversations with him. He was so intelligent and I was lucky to be able to know and learn from Dave. I haven’t seen him for some time but his memory will remain with me. My prayer to his family.
Wishing the family all the best as you mourn. I was a student of, at the time, Mr. Wahlberg, and it was extremely clear he cared for his students, doing a great job educating them, and their success. He was a kind and compassionate educator and I have very fond memories of him. Blessings to you all.
I worked with Dave at MSUM, he was not my direct supervisor, but the collaboration between Marketing and Information Technology became very close while working on the MSUM website, which is how it should be, during the time he was at MSUM. I will forever be grateful for his leadership, dedication, and thoughtfulness to rely on his subject matter experts on campus. He made you feel included and respected, which was awesome!
I was fortunate enough to work with Dave at MSUM. I did not work in the same department as Dave, but worked with him on a variety of projects. He was always kind, professional and humble. We were blessed to have him at MSUM and I will always appreciate that our paths crossed at MSUM. Thoughts and prayers to Kathy, Kyle and Dave’s entire family.
Dave began his doctorate at the University of North Dakota and completed it at NDSU. I was also a doctoral student with Dave at UND and found his insight helpful for my own progress. He was so much more than a quick wit with a humorous anecdote. He was a person who made a difference, here, in this place. — Kathy Enger
Dave was an active member of our Moorhead Rotary Club, and we remember that he loved Bayfield, WI. So sorry to hear of this loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
In the years that I worked for David I had the good fortune to travel with him a few times and it was always a true joy. I will always remember a long flowing conversation we had on a flight to Washington DC about work and life and adventure. In his own calm quiet way David taught me a lot about how to be a good leader and, more importantly, how to be the kind of person I want to be in the world. I will always be grateful to him for that. Kathy and Kyle, I am holding you both in my heart today.
Many Big Cormorant memories going way back with Dave. I wish we could attend his memorial, there will be many, many Dave stories told. And Kathy, I hope you will feel just a tiny bit better after the service and can begin to get on with your new life. Stay close with those grandkids!
Eloyes and Rick Hill
Ohhhh Kathy and family, what sad, shocking news! It doesn’t seem possible that we’ll never hear witty wisecracks from Dave again, at least not here on earth. Such good, good memories of our GL Ness days all together with so much laughter and light and friendship! I’m so happy that you two went on to make and enjoy such a happy life and family together. Love to you and your family!
Dear Kathy, Kyle and family. Dave made me laugh. Brilliant dry one liners and observational humor. He was so happy to be able to retire and spend so much more time together you all. We occasionally discussed work in our time together and way more time about trips up north, grilling and you all. He was so proud of you and his love for you was his North Star. He is a Dragon through and through. His time at Moorhead State I think was highlighted by his time in campus security, patrolling the tunnels and dorms back in the day. Peace be with all who love him.
Kathy and Kyle, I am so sorry to hear of your loss. Dave’s sense of humor, professionalism and kindness made him a joy to be around. Working with both of you and getting to know you more at church were both fun and a blessing. Steve and I enjoyed seeing your family over the years. My deepest sympathy to you and your family at this time.
Carol Renner
I really enjoyed working with Dave at NDSU. I know he will be missed by many.
Much Sympathy,
Virginia Clark Johnson
Loved working with Dave. Was so professional and easy to work with. Really appreciated how kind an caring he was. Celebrate a great life who made it his passion to help others. Sympathies and prayers to the family.