David T Walsvik

David Thilford Walsvik died on Sunday, August 16, 2026 at his home in Grand Forks, ND surrounded by his wife and siblings. David was born on December 4, 1952 in Northwood, ND to Thilford and Violet (Dahl) Walsvik. He was baptized on December 28, 1952 at Beaver Creek Lutheran Church in Hatton, ND. David’s first year of school was in a one-room schoolhouse in Sherbrook Country School in rural Northwood, ND. He attended elementary and high school in Northwood, where he participated in wrestling, band, and choir. David graduated from Northwood High School in May of 1971. He then attended North Dakota State University and graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Education in 1975. During his time at NDSU, he joined FarmHouse Fraternity and remained an active member of its alumni association for many years. David was a proud NDSU alumnus who maintained a strong connection to the university throughout his life. On December 6th, 1975, David was united in marriage to Janice Kim Karlstad and David took great pride in raising their three children, Matt, JoAnna, and Bethany. David taught vocational agriculture in Finley, ND. He then took a job at Farm Credit Services in Lakota, ND where he also farmed. In 1987, they moved to Hillsboro, ND where he continued to work for Farm Credit Services (Ag Country). In 1994, he went back to NDSU to obtain his Master’s Degree in Education, graduating in May 1996. David accepted a teaching position at the Division of Independent Studies. He then took an assistant principal position in New Town, ND followed by positions in Warwick Public Schools and Leeds Public School. On March 6, 2021, he married Jennifer Goeke and spent the last five years living in Grand Forks, ND. Together they enjoyed tending their garden, traveling to visit family, and spending time with friends at the Senior Center and Sons of Norway.

During his life, David was a passionate educator who changed the lives of many of his students. In his retirement, he loved watching old Westerns, Star Trek, and NDSU football, and spending time with his kids and grandkids. He often attended their sporting events and other activities and cheered them on from the stands. He made many trips to Surprise, Arizona to spend time with his daughter, son-in-law and six grandchildren there. He was a master storyteller, an inexhaustible fount of “dad jokes,” and a good friend to all who knew him.

David is survived by his wife, Jennifer Goeke, siblings: Dan (Sue) Walsvik of Hazen, ND, Ramona (Mikel) Huseby of Fallon, MT, Joel (special friend Julie McCammitt) Walsvik, West Fargo, ND, and Jon (Barb) Walsvik of West Fargo, ND. He is also survived by his children Matt (Lacey) Walsvik, Circle Pines, MN, JoAnna (Collin) Wahlund, Surprise, AZ and Bethany (Andrew) Mauch of Mooreton, ND. Stepchildren David Dickinson of Ely, MN, Elizabeth (Greg) Borschowa of Niceville, FL, and his grandchildren: Ethan Walsvik, Colston Walsvik, Elanor Wahlund, William Wahlund, Violet Wahlund, Gabriel Wahlund, Peter Wahlund, Laura Wahlund, Mason Mauch, Adlee Mauch, Lyla Mauch, and Axel Mauch, Bella Dickinson, Adaleigh Dickinson, Kylie Borschowa, Ian Borschowa. He is also survived by countless cousins, nieces, and nephews.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Thilford and Violet Walsvik, and his infant daughter, Laura Walsvik.

Visitation will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND on Wednesday, August 26 from 5pm-7pm, with a prayer service to follow. Visitation will continue at 10am the next morning, one hour prior to the funeral service. A funeral service will be held on Thursday, August 27 at 11am at Calvary Lutheran Church in Grand Forks, ND. Light lunch to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of David to the Farmhouse Fraternity Foundation.