David Dean Furness

David Dean Furness, age 93, passed away on June 7, 2026.

He was born at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea, MN on November 15, 1932, to Harold and Pearl (Kvale) Furness of Emmons, MN. The family eventually moved to Wells, MN, where Dave graduated from high school. He was active in mixed choir, student government, and athletics lettering in the four available sports. Later he attended Gustavus Adolfus College before transferring to the University of Minnesota School of Forestry, where he majored in wood science and technology. After graduation, he entered the US Army and spent parts of two years at Fort Devens, MA and Fort Huachuca, AZ. After completing his military obligations in 1957, he was hired by Rilco Laminated Products Inc. in St Paul, MN, where he met his future beloved wife, Sally. Eventually he transferred to another Rilco manufacturing plant and worked as a quality control technician in Albert Lea, MN. 

In June 1960, David was married to Sally Hodgins, and they began their life together after being transferred to Cottage Grove, OR where he was the quality control supervisor for Rilco/Weyerhaeuser. In 1970 he was transferred back to Albert Lea and served as sales coordinator until 1982 when Weyerhaeuser closed the Albert Lea facility. At that time, nine partners purchased the business, forming Alamco Wood products Inc. He was elected CEO and remained in that position until his retirement in 1994. During his retirement years, he and his family visited all 50 United States. He and Sally enjoyed riding bicycles throughout the US, Canada, and New Zealand. They also visited six continents with trips to mountainous areas. His favorite T-shirt was printed with the words "get high on mountains." This connected with two of his favorite hobbies: word play and spending time with Sally exploring places, such as the flank of the Matterhorn, Mount Kilimanjaro, Annapurna, and Mount Everest. In later years, he and Sally cruised the Galapagos Islands and the Mediterranean and Baltic Seas. 

David and Sally were blessed with three children, who followed in their dad's athletic footsteps as swimmers. 

He was very proud of his four grandchildren and great grandson and looked forward to their visits when he helped them make wood products of their choices. He also made many wooden toys for them, as well as pieces of furniture for friends and family.

He was preceded in death by his parents (Harold and Pearl), uncles Joseph and Palmer Kvale, and Tosten Groe; aunts Annette Johnson, Alfreda Shelden, and Ingri and Myrtle Kvale. 

He is survived by his wife, Sally of Albert Lea, MN; his children Steven (Jane) of Bend, OR, Scott (Frieja) of Austin, TX, and Stacy of Mason City, IA; his grandchildren, Walt (Kelli) Furness of Dayton, OH, Jack (Nicole) Furness of Brooklyn, NY, Quinn (Rachel) Furness of Chicago, IL, and Abbie Furness of Bend, OR; and his great grandson William.

A memorial service will be held at a later date.