David Charles Harrod

Age 82 of Stillwater, MN passed away at St John’s Hospital in Maplewood, Minnesota on January 21, 2024. Dave was born in St. Paul, MN on May 24, 1941. Son of Charles and Kathrine Harrod, Dave grew up in Mahtomedi with four sisters, Jean, Joan, Sandy and Pam. He graduated from Mahtomedi High school in 1959. Dave was active in sports in high school. He played football, basketball and baseball at Mahtomedi. After high school Dave spent two years in the Coast Guard. After service in the Coast Guard, Dave returned to Minnesota and began working for Gillette company in St. Paul. Dave was preceded in death by his sister, Sandy Mihalic; his great-grandson, Jordan Johnson; and the love of his life, Ida Shaver whom he met while working at Gillette.
  
Dave and Ida were married in Mahtomedi, MN on Sept 8, 1979.  Dave had three kids from a previous marriage Brian, Bruce and Jimmy. Ida had four kids, Lauri, Vance, Gina and Lance. They raised the blended family in Mahtomedi and went on to have 10 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Dave was a dedicated family man and was very supportive of all the kid’s activities. Dave spent many years coaching youth football and later, he loved to watch his grandkids play hockey and tennis. Dave and Ida were married 37 years before Ida passed in 2016. 

When the kids were grown, Dave and Ida decided to leave their jobs at Gillette and their home in Mahtomedi. They purchased the Motel 301 near Tampa Florida. They had a successful run as small business owners. They eventually sold the motel and Dave was able put his passion for fishing and the outdoors to work in the resort business. They ran the Big H Resort and then the Greendale Resort in the Park Rapids MN area for many years. The resort business was seasonal and that allowed Dave and Ida to snowbird in Leesburg Florida. Dave’s passions were softball, golf, and fishing, his time in Florida allowed for all of these. Dave had many friends in Florida. He and Ida were both active in softball and golf leagues. 

In their later years, Dave and Ida spent summers at their home near the Tagalong golf course in Birchwood Wisconsin. Dave was able to work part-time at the pro-shop and he liked to spend the rest of his time working on his golf game and fishing. Dave was also a pretty handy gardener, he always kept a nice garden wherever he lived, no doubt a skill he picked up from his Dad and his Uncle Spike. 

Dave liked meeting new people and had a great sense of humor.  He was blessed with a large, loving family and lived a life that allowed him to enjoy his passions. Dave will be missed by all who knew him.

A Celebration of Dave’s life will be held on Thursday, May 23 at Bradshaw Celebration of Life Center, 2800 Curve Crest Blvd  Stillwater, MN 55082.  Visitation is from 11-12, Service will be at 12:00.  Lunch will be served after the service.