David Magnuson

David T. Magnuson

Age 78 of Stillwater, passed away peacefully December 25, 2019, surrounded by his loving family, after a dignified battle with ALS. David was fourth generation Stillwater, proudly born and raised on Stillwater's North Hill. He graduated from Stillwater High School in 1959 where he was recently recognized as a Distinguished Alumnus of Stillwater High School. He joined the U.S. Navy at 17 years of age, serving four years in photographic intelligence in the South Pacific aboard the USS Yorktown. Following his Navy service he earned a degree in English from the University of Wisconsin River Falls and a JD from William Mitchell College of Law. During law school he met and married the love of his life, Mary Lowey, from Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. For 40 years David served the residents of his hometown Stillwater as a highly-respected and trusted City Attorney. It is believed that he was the longest serving city attorney in Minnesota. In addition to maintaining a private practice and representing Stillwater, he also served the communities of Baytown, Lakeland Shores, Grey Cloud Island, Marine on St. Croix, Afton and North Oaks. After retiring from the City of Stillwater he maintained a private practice and was in his office working two days before his death. He had an encyclopedic knowledge of Stillwater history. He was a longtime member and former president of Stillwater Rotary. He was an active volunteer for those less fortunate in his community, serving on numerous commissions, boards, and committees throughout the years. He touched countless lives as a youth hockey coach and volunteer. His was a life of dedicated service - first to his country and then to his community. He was also a card carrying member of numerous coffee clutches over the years. David was wound into the very fabric of Stillwater. He loved the outdoors, growing up fishing on the St. Croix River and hunting north of Stillwater. Particularly happy times were spent with his family at their rustic cabin on Lake Saganaga, in Ontario, and traveling to Europe, Ireland, England and Scotland with Mary. Above all else, David was a dedicated and loving husband, father and grandfather. Especially missed by all will be his kind heart, quick smile, and his gift of storytelling. Preceded in death by his parents, Claude and Esther, sister Jean (Michael), brother Daniel (Deb), and brother-in-law Jim Lowey. He is survived by Mary, his wife of 51 years, children John (Heather), Frances (Matt), Jim (Jane) and grandchildren Jack, Meg, Emily, Dylan, Madeline and Nadine. Visitation Thursday, January 2, 2019, from 4:00-8:00PM. BRADSHAW CELEBRATION OF LIFE CENTER (2800 Curve Crest Blvd., Stillwater) Mass of Christian Burial Friday, January 3 at 11:00AM at ST. CHARLES CATHOLIC CHURCH (409 Third Street N., Bayport) with visitation one hour prior. Private family interment St. Michael's Cemetery at a later date. Memorials preferred to St. Charles Catholic Church or the ALS Association.